Frost Dates for Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Santa Barbara has 8 ZIP codes. The Santa Barbara, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost January 10 · First fall frost November 23 · 317 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10b
ZIP 93108 has about 11,500 people, one of 8 ZIP codes in Santa Barbara.
Very long season: 317 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 93108
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | February 18 | January 10 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | November 18 | November 23 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SANTA BARBARA MUNI AP (22.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 317-day season in Santa Barbara
In Santa Barbara (317 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 6 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 275 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 275 available after Jan 24. | Jul 24 |
| Pepper | Nov 29 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 275 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 275 available after Jan 24. | Jul 29 |
| Lettuce | Nov 15 | Dec 13–Dec 20 | 352 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 2 |
| Carrots | — | Dec 20–Dec 27 | 359 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 359 available after Dec 20. | Sep 21 |
| Cucumber | Dec 20 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Beans | — | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Peas | — | Nov 15–Jan 24 | 380 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 380 available after Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Zucchini | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Onion | Oct 18 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 352 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 352 available after Dec 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Nov 15–Jan 3 | 394 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 21 |
| Kale | Nov 1 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 366 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Broccoli | Nov 15 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 352 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 352 available after Dec 13. | Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Nov 15 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 366 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 366 available after Dec 13. | Sep 21 |
| Radish | — | Nov 15–Feb 7 | 380 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 22 |
| Beets | — | Nov 15–Feb 7 | 380 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Dec 27–Jan 3 | 338 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 338 available after Dec 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 23 | 422 | overwinter: Plant Nov 23 to Dec 14; harvest the following summer. | Dec 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 6–Jan 31 | 373 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Dec 13 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 289 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 289 available after Jan 17. | Aug 5 |
| Pumpkin | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 24 | 282 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 282 available after Jan 24. | Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Nov 29 | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 331 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 331 available after Jan 3. | Sep 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Nov 15 | Dec 27–Dec 27 | 338 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Arugula | — | Nov 15–Feb 7 | 394 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Nov 15 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 366 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 366 available after Dec 13. | Aug 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 282 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 282 available after Jan 24. | Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Nov 22 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 275 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 275 available after Jan 24. | Aug 3 |
| Okra | Dec 13 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Basil | Dec 6 | Jan 31–Jan 31 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Dec 13–Jan 3 | 352 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Parsley | Nov 1 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 317 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 317 available after Jan 17. | Sep 7 |
| Celery | Nov 1 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 317 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 317 available after Jan 17. | Jul 19 |
| Scallions | Nov 1 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 366 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 1 |
| Turnip | — | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 366 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Nov 29–Dec 13 | 380 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Bok Choy | Dec 13 | Jan 3–Jan 10 | 331 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 2 |
| Collards | Nov 1 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 366 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 275 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 275 available after Jan 24. | Jul 19 |
| Chives | Oct 18 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 331 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 331 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Nov 15–Feb 7 | 380 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Oregano | Nov 1 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 331 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 331 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Oct 18 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 317 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 317 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Sage | Nov 15 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 331 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 331 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 1 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 331 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 331 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Calendula | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 338 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Cosmos | Dec 13 | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Lavender | Oct 18 | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 338 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 338 available after Jan 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Nov 29 | Jan 10–Jan 17 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Melons | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 275 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 275 available after Jan 24. | Jul 19 |
| Mint | — | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 338 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 338 available after Jan 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Dec 13 | Jan 10–Jan 17 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 296 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 296 available after Jan 17. | Aug 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 282 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 282 available after Jan 24. | Jul 21 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 303 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 303 available after Jan 10. | Aug 17 |
| Tomatillos | Nov 15 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 282 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 282 available after Jan 17. | Jul 29 |
| Watermelon | Dec 27 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 282 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 282 available after Jan 17. | Jul 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Zinnias | Dec 13 | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
Month by month in Santa Barbara
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jan 10), Beans (Jan 17), Pole Beans (Jan 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Jan 3), Cauliflower (Jan 3), Cosmos (Jan 10), Lavender (Jan 10), Marigolds (Jan 10), Mint (Jan 10), +25 more. Last frost around January 10. |
| February | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| 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 11), Pumpkin (Jul 11), Cantaloupe (Jul 19), Celery (Jul 19), Melons (Jul 19), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 21), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 3), Corn (Aug 5), Sunflowers (Aug 17), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 22), Pole Beans (Aug 22), Basil (Aug 27), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Sep 1), Okra (Sep 1), Yellow Squash (Sep 1), Zucchini (Sep 1), Cauliflower (Sep 2), Beans (Sep 3), +10 more. |
| October | Start indoors: Chives (Oct 18), Lavender (Oct 18), Onion (Oct 18), Rosemary (Oct 18). Last sowing dates: Collards (Oct 1), Scallions (Oct 1), Bok Choy (Oct 2), Lettuce (Oct 2), Kale (Oct 6), Kohlrabi (Oct 6), +4 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Celery (Nov 1), Collards (Nov 1), Kale (Nov 1), Oregano (Nov 1), Parsley (Nov 1), Scallions (Nov 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Nov 15), Beets (Nov 15), Dill (Nov 15), Peas (Nov 15), Radish (Nov 15), Spinach (Nov 15), +2 more. First frost around November 23. |
| December | Start indoors: Basil (Dec 6), Tomato (Dec 6), Bok Choy (Dec 13), Corn (Dec 13), Cosmos (Dec 13), Nasturtiums (Dec 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Dec 13), Turnip (Dec 13), Carrots (Dec 20), Potatoes (Dec 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Dec 13), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 13), Cabbage (Dec 13), Collards (Dec 13), Kale (Dec 13), Lettuce (Dec 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 6). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 14). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Santa Barbara, CA (ZIP 93108)?
The median last spring frost date for Santa Barbara, CA (ZIP code 93108) is around January 10. 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.
What is the first fall frost date in Santa Barbara, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Santa Barbara, CA is around November 23. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Santa Barbara, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Santa Barbara is about 317 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 Santa Barbara (317 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 Santa Barbara, CA?
Santa Barbara, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 10b (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 Santa Barbara, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 6 and plant out Jan 24 in Santa Barbara. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Santa Barbara?
Two: plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 30.
When do I plant garlic in Santa Barbara?
Nov 23 to Dec 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Santa Barbara?
Yes: plant out Jan 24 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 24 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Santa Barbara (ZIP 93101) has 326 frost-free days, 9 more than Santa Barbara (ZIP 93108). See Santa Barbara ZIP 93101 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (6.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Carpinteria, CA 93013 (7.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Ojai, CA 93023 (20.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Ventura, CA 93003 (24.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Goleta, CA 93117 (27.4 mi)
- When to plant in CA
- When to plant Peppers in CA
- When to plant Cucumbers in CA
- When to plant Zucchini in CA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in CA
- When to plant Basil in CA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in CA
- Look up another ZIP