Frost Dates for Santa Maria, CA 93455
Santa Maria has 3 ZIP codes. The Santa Maria, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 13 · First fall frost December 8 · 298 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 93455 has about 44,600 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Santa Maria.
Very long season: 298 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 14–April 3 (79 days). Fall frost risk spans November 9–January 16 (68 days).
Frost probability for 93455
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 3 | February 13 | January 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 9 | December 8 | January 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TWITCHELL DAM (20.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 298-day season in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria (298 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 9 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 256 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 27. | Aug 8 |
| Pepper | Jan 2 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 256 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 27. | Aug 13 |
| Lettuce | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 23 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 17 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 23–Jan 30 | 340 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 23. | Oct 6 |
| Cucumber | Jan 23 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Beans | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 18 |
| Peas | — | Dec 19–Feb 27 | 361 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 361 available after Dec 19. | Sep 27 |
| Zucchini | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Onion | Nov 21 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 333 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 333 available after Jan 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 19–Feb 6 | 375 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Nov 5; both mature before Dec 29. | Nov 5 |
| Kale | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 29. | Oct 21 |
| Broccoli | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 333 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 333 available after Jan 16. | Sep 12 |
| Cabbage | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 347 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 347 available after Jan 16. | Oct 6 |
| Radish | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 361 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Nov 6; both mature before Dec 15. | Nov 6 |
| Beets | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 361 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 319 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 319 available after Jan 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 8 | 403 | overwinter: Plant Dec 8 to Dec 29; harvest the following summer. | Dec 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 9–Mar 6 | 354 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 270 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 20. | Aug 20 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Feb 27 | 263 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 27. | Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 2 | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 312 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 6. | Sep 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Jan 30 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 7 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 375 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Nov 5; both mature before Dec 29. | Nov 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 347 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 347 available after Jan 16. | Sep 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 263 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 27. | Jul 26 |
| Eggplant | Dec 26 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 27. | Aug 18 |
| Okra | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Basil | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 16–Feb 6 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 12 |
| Parsley | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 298 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 20. | Sep 22 |
| Celery | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 298 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 20. | Aug 3 |
| Scallions | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 29. | Oct 16 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 29. | Oct 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 361 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 29. | Oct 21 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 16 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 17 |
| Collards | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 29. | Oct 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 256 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 27. | Aug 3 |
| Chives | Nov 21 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 312 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 361 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 7 |
| Oregano | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 312 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 21 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 298 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Sage | Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 312 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 312 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 12 |
| Cosmos | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Lavender | Nov 21 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 319 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Melons | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 256 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 27. | Aug 3 |
| Mint | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 319 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 277 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 20. | Sep 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 263 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 27. | Aug 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 284 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 13. | Sep 1 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 263 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 20. | Aug 13 |
| Watermelon | Jan 30 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 263 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 20. | Aug 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Zinnias | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
Month by month in Santa Maria
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Calendula (Jan 2), Cauliflower (Jan 2), Marigolds (Jan 2), Pepper (Jan 2), Basil (Jan 9), Tomato (Jan 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 2), Cilantro (Jan 16), Turnip (Jan 16), Carrots (Jan 23), Potatoes (Jan 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 16), Cabbage (Jan 16), Collards (Jan 16), Kale (Jan 16), Lettuce (Jan 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 9). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 13), Beans (Feb 20), Pole Beans (Feb 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 6), Cauliflower (Feb 6), Cosmos (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Marigolds (Feb 13), Mint (Feb 13), +24 more. Last frost around February 13. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 6). |
| 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 26), Pumpkin (Jul 26). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Aug 3), Celery (Aug 3), Melons (Aug 3), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 5), Tomato (Aug 8), Watermelon (Aug 8), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Sep 1), Brussel Sprouts (Sep 6), Pole Beans (Sep 6), Basil (Sep 11), Cosmos (Sep 11), Cucumber (Sep 11), +11 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 6), Carrots (Oct 6), Beets (Oct 7), Dill (Oct 7), Swiss Chard (Oct 7), Calendula (Oct 12), +8 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 21), Lavender (Nov 21), Onion (Nov 21), Rosemary (Nov 21). Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 5), Spinach (Nov 5), Radish (Nov 6). |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 5), Collards (Dec 5), Kale (Dec 5), Oregano (Dec 5), Parsley (Dec 5), Scallions (Dec 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 8), Arugula (Dec 19), Beets (Dec 19), Dill (Dec 19), Peas (Dec 19), Radish (Dec 19), +1 more. First frost around December 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 29). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Santa Maria, CA (ZIP 93455)?
The median last spring frost date for Santa Maria, CA (ZIP code 93455) is around February 13. 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 14; one in ten it runs past April 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Santa Maria, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Santa Maria, CA is around December 8. 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Santa Maria, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Santa Maria is about 298 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 Maria (298 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 Maria, CA?
Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 9 and plant out Feb 27 in Santa Maria. 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 Maria?
Two: plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 15.
When do I plant garlic in Santa Maria?
Dec 8 to Dec 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Santa Maria?
Yes: plant out Feb 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 8 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Grover Beach (ZIP 93433) has 339 frost-free days, 41 more than Santa Maria (ZIP 93455). See Grover Beach ZIP 93433 frost dates
Nearby and related
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