Frost Dates for Petaluma, CA 94954
Last spring frost February 28 · First fall frost November 21 · 266 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 94954 has about 37,600 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Petaluma.
Very long season: 266 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 13–April 15 (92 days). Fall frost risk spans October 29–December 20 (52 days).
Frost probability for 94954
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 15 | February 28 | January 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 29 | November 21 | December 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PETALUMA AP (3.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Petaluma, CA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94954 | February 28 | November 21 | 9b |
| 94952 | February 28 | November 27 | 9b |
Which crops fit a 266-day season in Petaluma
In Petaluma (266 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 24 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 224 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 14. | Jul 22 |
| Pepper | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 224 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 14. | Jul 27 |
| Lettuce | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 30 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 308 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 7. | Sep 19 |
| Cucumber | Feb 7 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Beans | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Peas | — | Jan 3–Mar 14 | 329 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 329 available after Jan 3. | Sep 10 |
| Zucchini | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Onion | Dec 6 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 301 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 301 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 3–Feb 21 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 19 |
| Kale | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 301 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 301 available after Jan 31. | Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 315 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 315 available after Jan 31. | Sep 19 |
| Radish | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 20 |
| Beets | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 287 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 21 | 371 | overwinter: Plant Nov 21 to Dec 12; harvest the following summer. | Dec 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 24–Mar 21 | 322 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 31 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 7. | Aug 3 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 14. | Jul 9 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 17 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 280 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 21. | Aug 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 3 | Feb 14–Feb 14 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 315 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 315 available after Jan 31. | Aug 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 14. | Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 14. | Aug 1 |
| Okra | Jan 31 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Basil | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 31–Feb 21 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 25 |
| Parsley | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 7. | Sep 5 |
| Celery | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 266 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 7. | Jul 17 |
| Scallions | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 12. | Sep 29 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 4 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 31 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 30 |
| Collards | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 12. | Sep 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 224 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 14. | Jul 17 |
| Chives | Dec 6 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 280 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Oregano | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 280 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 6 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 266 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Sage | Jan 3 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 280 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 280 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 25 |
| Cosmos | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Lavender | Dec 6 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 287 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Melons | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 224 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 14. | Jul 17 |
| Mint | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 287 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 245 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 7. | Aug 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 14. | Jul 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 252 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 28. | Aug 15 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 3 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 231 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 7. | Jul 27 |
| Watermelon | Feb 14 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 7. | Jul 22 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Zinnias | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
Month by month in Petaluma
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 3), Cabbage (Jan 3), Lettuce (Jan 3), Sage (Jan 3), Swiss Chard (Jan 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 3), Beets (Jan 3), Dill (Jan 3), Peas (Jan 3), Radish (Jan 3), Spinach (Jan 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 31), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 31), Cabbage (Jan 31), Collards (Jan 31), Kale (Jan 31), Lettuce (Jan 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 7), Butternut Squash (Feb 14), Cantaloupe (Feb 14), Melons (Feb 14), Pumpkin (Feb 14), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 7), Potatoes (Feb 14), Sunflowers (Feb 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 14), Swiss Chard (Feb 14), Bok Choy (Feb 21), Cauliflower (Feb 21), Cosmos (Feb 28), Lavender (Feb 28), +4 more. Last frost around February 28. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 7), Pole Beans (Mar 7). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 7), Chives (Mar 7), Corn (Mar 7), Okra (Mar 7), Oregano (Mar 7), Parsley (Mar 7), +17 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 9), Pumpkin (Jul 9), Cantaloupe (Jul 17), Celery (Jul 17), Melons (Jul 17), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 19), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 1), Corn (Aug 3), Sunflowers (Aug 15), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 20), Pole Beans (Aug 20), Basil (Aug 25), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Beans (Sep 1), Marigolds (Sep 4), Parsley (Sep 5), Peas (Sep 10), Cabbage (Sep 19), Carrots (Sep 19), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Kale (Oct 4), Kohlrabi (Oct 4), Turnip (Oct 9), Arugula (Oct 19), Spinach (Oct 19), Radish (Oct 20). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 21). First frost around November 21. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 6), Lavender (Dec 6), Onion (Dec 6), Rosemary (Dec 6), Celery (Dec 20), Collards (Dec 20), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 12). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Petaluma, CA (ZIP 94954)?
The median last spring frost date for Petaluma, CA (ZIP code 94954) is around February 28. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before January 13; one in ten it runs past April 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Petaluma, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Petaluma, CA is around November 21. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 29 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Petaluma, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Petaluma is about 266 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Petaluma (266 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Petaluma, CA?
Petaluma, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Petaluma, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 24 and plant out Mar 14 in Petaluma. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Petaluma?
Two: plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 28.
When do I plant garlic in Petaluma?
Nov 21 to Dec 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Petaluma?
Yes: plant out Mar 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 22 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Novato (ZIP 94947) has 299 frost-free days, 33 more than Petaluma (ZIP 94954). See Novato ZIP 94947 frost dates
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