Frost Dates for Salinas, CA 93907
Salinas has 5 ZIP codes. The Salinas, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost January 26 · First fall frost December 10 · 318 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 93907 has about 25,100 people, one of 5 ZIP codes in Salinas.
Very long season: 318 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans December 10–March 12 (92 days). Fall frost risk spans November 15–January 16 (62 days).
Frost probability for 93907
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 12 | January 26 | December 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 15 | December 10 | January 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SALINAS #2 (11.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 318-day season in Salinas
In Salinas (318 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 | Dec 22 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 276 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 9. | Aug 10 |
| Pepper | Dec 15 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 276 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 9. | Aug 15 |
| Lettuce | Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 5 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 29 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 19 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 5–Jan 12 | 360 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 360 available after Jan 5. | Oct 8 |
| Cucumber | Jan 5 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Beans | — | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Peas | — | Dec 1–Feb 9 | 381 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 381 available after Dec 1. | Sep 29 |
| Zucchini | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Onion | Nov 3 | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 353 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 353 available after Dec 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 1–Jan 19 | 395 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 1 and again by Nov 7; both mature before Dec 31. | Nov 7 |
| Kale | Nov 17 | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 367 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 29 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 23 |
| Broccoli | Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 353 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 353 available after Dec 29. | Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 367 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 367 available after Dec 29. | Oct 8 |
| Radish | — | Dec 1–Feb 23 | 381 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 1 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Dec 17. | Nov 8 |
| Beets | — | Dec 1–Feb 23 | 381 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 1 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 339 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 339 available after Jan 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 10 | 423 | overwinter: Plant Dec 10 to Dec 31; harvest the following summer. | Dec 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 22–Feb 16 | 374 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Dec 29 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 290 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 2. | Aug 22 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 9 | 283 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 9. | Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 15 | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 332 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 332 available after Jan 19. | Sep 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 1 | Jan 12–Jan 12 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 1–Feb 23 | 395 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 1 and again by Nov 7; both mature before Dec 31. | Nov 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 367 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 367 available after Dec 29. | Sep 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 283 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 9. | Jul 28 |
| Eggplant | Dec 8 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 276 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 9. | Aug 20 |
| Okra | Dec 29 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Basil | Dec 22 | Feb 16–Feb 16 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Dec 29–Jan 19 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 29 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 14 |
| Parsley | Nov 17 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 318 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 318 available after Feb 2. | Sep 24 |
| Celery | Nov 17 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 318 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 318 available after Feb 2. | Aug 5 |
| Scallions | Nov 17 | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 367 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 29 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 18 |
| Turnip | — | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 367 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 29 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 15–Dec 29 | 381 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 23 |
| Bok Choy | Dec 29 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 19 |
| Collards | Nov 17 | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 367 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 29 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 18 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 276 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 9. | Aug 5 |
| Chives | Nov 3 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 332 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 332 available after Feb 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 1–Feb 23 | 381 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 1 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Oregano | Nov 17 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 332 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 332 available after Feb 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 3 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 318 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 318 available after Feb 2. | — |
| Sage | Dec 1 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 332 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 332 available after Feb 2. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 17 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 332 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 332 available after Feb 2. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 15 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 14 |
| Cosmos | Dec 29 | Jan 26–Feb 9 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Lavender | Nov 3 | Jan 26–Feb 9 | 339 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 339 available after Jan 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 15 | Jan 26–Feb 2 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Melons | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 276 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 9. | Aug 5 |
| Mint | — | Jan 26–Feb 9 | 339 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 339 available after Jan 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Dec 29 | Jan 26–Feb 2 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 297 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 2. | Sep 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 283 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 9. | Aug 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 26–Feb 9 | 304 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 304 available after Jan 26. | Sep 3 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 1 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 283 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 2. | Aug 15 |
| Watermelon | Jan 12 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 283 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 2. | Aug 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Zinnias | Dec 29 | Jan 26–Feb 9 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
Month by month in Salinas
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Cucumber (Jan 5), Butternut Squash (Jan 12), Cantaloupe (Jan 12), Melons (Jan 12), Pumpkin (Jan 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jan 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Jan 5), Potatoes (Jan 12), Sunflowers (Jan 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Jan 12), Swiss Chard (Jan 12), Bok Choy (Jan 19), Cauliflower (Jan 19), Cosmos (Jan 26), Lavender (Jan 26), +4 more. Last frost around January 26. |
| February | Direct sow from: Beans (Feb 2), Pole Beans (Feb 2). Transplant from: Celery (Feb 2), Chives (Feb 2), Corn (Feb 2), Okra (Feb 2), Oregano (Feb 2), Parsley (Feb 2), +17 more. |
| March | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| April | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| May | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| June | Direct sow carrots and beets for fall harvest. Start fall broccoli and kale indoors. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 28), Pumpkin (Jul 28). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Aug 5), Celery (Aug 5), Melons (Aug 5), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 7), Tomato (Aug 10), Watermelon (Aug 10), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Sep 3), Brussel Sprouts (Sep 8), Pole Beans (Sep 8), Basil (Sep 13), Cosmos (Sep 13), Cucumber (Sep 13), +11 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 8), Carrots (Oct 8), Beets (Oct 9), Dill (Oct 9), Swiss Chard (Oct 9), Calendula (Oct 14), +8 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 3), Lavender (Nov 3), Onion (Nov 3), Rosemary (Nov 3), Celery (Nov 17), Collards (Nov 17), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 7), Spinach (Nov 7), Radish (Nov 8). |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 1), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 1), Cabbage (Dec 1), Lettuce (Dec 1), Sage (Dec 1), Swiss Chard (Dec 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 1), Beets (Dec 1), Dill (Dec 1), Peas (Dec 1), Radish (Dec 1), Spinach (Dec 1), +4 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Dec 29), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 29), Cabbage (Dec 29), Collards (Dec 29), Kale (Dec 29), Lettuce (Dec 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 22). First frost around December 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 31). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Salinas, CA (ZIP 93907)?
The median last spring frost date for Salinas, CA (ZIP code 93907) is around January 26. 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 December 10; one in ten it runs past March 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Salinas, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Salinas, CA is around December 10. 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 November 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Salinas, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Salinas is about 318 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 Salinas (318 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 Salinas, CA?
Salinas, 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 Salinas, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 22 and plant out Feb 9 in Salinas. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Salinas?
Two: plant Dec 29 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 17.
When do I plant garlic in Salinas?
Dec 10 to Dec 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Salinas?
Yes: plant out Feb 9 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 10 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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