Frost Dates for Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Santa Cruz has 4 ZIP codes. The Santa Cruz, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 11 · First fall frost December 10 · 302 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 95062 has about 35,600 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Santa Cruz.
Very long season: 302 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans December 18–March 24 (96 days). Fall frost risk spans November 6–January 16 (71 days).
Frost probability for 95062
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 24 | February 11 | December 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 6 | December 10 | January 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WATSONVILLE WTR WKS (20.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 302-day season in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz (302 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 7 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 260 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 260 available after Feb 25. | Aug 10 |
| Pepper | Dec 31 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 260 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 260 available after Feb 25. | Aug 15 |
| Lettuce | Dec 17 | Jan 14–Jan 21 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 19 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 344 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 344 available after Jan 21. | Oct 8 |
| Cucumber | Jan 21 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Beans | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Peas | — | Dec 17–Feb 25 | 365 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 365 available after Dec 17. | Sep 29 |
| Zucchini | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Onion | Nov 19 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 337 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 337 available after Jan 14. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 17–Feb 4 | 379 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Nov 7; both mature before Dec 31. | Nov 7 |
| Kale | Dec 3 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 23 |
| Broccoli | Dec 17 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 337 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 337 available after Jan 14. | Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Dec 17 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 351 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 351 available after Jan 14. | Oct 8 |
| Radish | — | Dec 17–Mar 11 | 365 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Nov 8; both mature before Dec 17. | Nov 8 |
| Beets | — | Dec 17–Mar 11 | 365 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 323 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 323 available after Jan 28. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 10 | 407 | overwinter: Plant Dec 10 to Dec 31; harvest the following summer. | Dec 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 7–Mar 4 | 358 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 7; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 14 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 274 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 18. | Aug 22 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Feb 25 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 25. | Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 31 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 316 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 4. | Sep 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 17 | Jan 28–Jan 28 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 17–Mar 11 | 379 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Nov 7; both mature before Dec 31. | Nov 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 17 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 351 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 351 available after Jan 14. | Sep 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 25. | Jul 28 |
| Eggplant | Dec 24 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Feb 25. | Aug 20 |
| Okra | Jan 14 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Basil | Jan 7 | Mar 4–Mar 4 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 14–Feb 4 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 14 |
| Parsley | Dec 3 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 302 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 18. | Sep 24 |
| Celery | Dec 3 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 302 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 18. | Aug 5 |
| Scallions | Dec 3 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 18 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 31–Jan 14 | 365 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 31 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 23 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 14 | Feb 4–Feb 11 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 19 |
| Collards | Dec 3 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 31. | Oct 18 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 260 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 260 available after Feb 25. | Aug 5 |
| Chives | Nov 19 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 316 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 17–Mar 11 | 365 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 9 |
| Oregano | Dec 3 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 316 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 19 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 302 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Sage | Dec 17 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 316 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 3 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 316 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 11 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 17. | Oct 14 |
| Cosmos | Jan 14 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Lavender | Nov 19 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 323 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 323 available after Feb 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 31 | Feb 11–Feb 18 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Melons | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 260 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 260 available after Feb 25. | Aug 5 |
| Mint | — | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 323 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 323 available after Feb 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 14 | Feb 11–Feb 18 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 281 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 18. | Sep 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 267 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 25. | Aug 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 288 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 11. | Sep 3 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 17 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 267 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 18. | Aug 15 |
| Watermelon | Jan 28 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 267 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 18. | Aug 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Zinnias | Jan 14 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
Month by month in Santa Cruz
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Basil (Jan 7), Tomato (Jan 7), Bok Choy (Jan 14), Corn (Jan 14), Cosmos (Jan 14), Nasturtiums (Jan 14), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 14), Turnip (Jan 14), Carrots (Jan 21), Potatoes (Jan 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 14), Cabbage (Jan 14), Collards (Jan 14), Kale (Jan 14), Lettuce (Jan 14), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 7). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 11), Beans (Feb 18), Pole Beans (Feb 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 4), Cauliflower (Feb 4), Cosmos (Feb 11), Lavender (Feb 11), Marigolds (Feb 11), Mint (Feb 11), +24 more. Last frost around February 11. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 4). |
| 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 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 19), Lavender (Nov 19), Onion (Nov 19), Rosemary (Nov 19). Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 7), Spinach (Nov 7), Radish (Nov 8). |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 3), Collards (Dec 3), Kale (Dec 3), Oregano (Dec 3), Parsley (Dec 3), Scallions (Dec 3), +13 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 10), Arugula (Dec 17), Beets (Dec 17), Dill (Dec 17), Peas (Dec 17), Radish (Dec 17), +2 more. First frost around December 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 31). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Santa Cruz, CA (ZIP 95062)?
The median last spring frost date for Santa Cruz, CA (ZIP code 95062) is around February 11. 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 18; one in ten it runs past March 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Santa Cruz, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Santa Cruz, 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 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Santa Cruz, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Santa Cruz is about 302 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 Cruz (302 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 Cruz, CA?
Santa Cruz, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (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 Cruz, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 7 and plant out Feb 25 in Santa Cruz. 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 Cruz?
Two: plant Jan 14 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 17.
When do I plant garlic in Santa Cruz?
Dec 10 to Dec 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Santa Cruz?
Yes: plant out Feb 25 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 10 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Soquel, CA 95073 (5.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (6.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Aptos, CA 95003 (6.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (6.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Watsonville, CA 95076 (13.4 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
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- Look up another ZIP