Frost Dates for Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Last spring frost March 4 · First fall frost November 27 · 268 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95404 has about 37,000 people, one of 6 ZIP codes in Santa Rosa.
Very long season: 268 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 16–April 21 (95 days). Fall frost risk spans October 29–December 11 (43 days).
Frost probability for 95404
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 21 | March 4 | January 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 29 | November 27 | December 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SAINT HELENA (16.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 268-day season in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa (268 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 28 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 226 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 18. | Jul 28 |
| Pepper | Jan 21 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 226 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 18. | Aug 2 |
| Lettuce | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 11 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 11–Feb 18 | 310 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 310 available after Feb 11. | Sep 25 |
| Cucumber | Feb 11 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Beans | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Peas | — | Jan 7–Mar 18 | 331 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 331 available after Jan 7. | Sep 16 |
| Zucchini | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Onion | Dec 10 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 303 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 7–Feb 25 | 345 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Kale | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 317 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Broccoli | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 303 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 4. | Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 317 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 317 available after Feb 4. | Sep 25 |
| Radish | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 331 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 26 |
| Beets | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 331 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 289 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 289 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 27 | 373 | overwinter: Plant Nov 27 to Dec 18; harvest the following summer. | Dec 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 28–Mar 25 | 324 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 4 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 240 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 11. | Aug 9 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 18 | 233 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 18. | Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 282 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 282 available after Feb 25. | Sep 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 7 | Feb 18–Feb 18 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 345 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 317 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 317 available after Feb 4. | Aug 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 233 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 18. | Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Jan 14 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 18. | Aug 7 |
| Okra | Feb 4 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Basil | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Mar 25 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 4–Feb 25 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Parsley | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 268 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 11. | Sep 11 |
| Celery | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 268 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 11. | Jul 23 |
| Scallions | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 317 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 317 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 331 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 4 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Collards | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 317 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 226 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 18. | Jul 23 |
| Chives | Dec 10 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 282 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 331 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Oregano | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 282 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 10 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 268 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Sage | Jan 7 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 282 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 282 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 282 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Cosmos | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Lavender | Dec 10 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 289 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 289 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Melons | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 226 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 18. | Jul 23 |
| Mint | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 289 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 289 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 247 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 11. | Aug 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 18. | Jul 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 254 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 4. | Aug 21 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 7 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 233 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 11. | Aug 2 |
| Watermelon | Feb 18 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 233 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 11. | Jul 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Zinnias | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
Month by month in Santa Rosa
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 7), Cabbage (Jan 7), Lettuce (Jan 7), Sage (Jan 7), Swiss Chard (Jan 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 7), Beets (Jan 7), Dill (Jan 7), Peas (Jan 7), Radish (Jan 7), Spinach (Jan 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 28). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 4), Corn (Feb 4), Cosmos (Feb 4), Nasturtiums (Feb 4), Okra (Feb 4), Zinnias (Feb 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 4), Turnip (Feb 4), Carrots (Feb 11), Potatoes (Feb 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 4), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 4), Cabbage (Feb 4), Collards (Feb 4), Kale (Feb 4), Lettuce (Feb 4), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 4), Beans (Mar 11), Pole Beans (Mar 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 4), Lavender (Mar 4), Marigolds (Mar 4), Mint (Mar 4), Nasturtiums (Mar 4), Zinnias (Mar 4), +23 more. Last frost around March 4. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 15), Pumpkin (Jul 15), Cantaloupe (Jul 23), Celery (Jul 23), Melons (Jul 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 25), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 2), Tomatillos (Aug 2), Eggplant (Aug 7), Corn (Aug 9), Sunflowers (Aug 21), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 26), +5 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Sep 1), Nasturtiums (Sep 5), Okra (Sep 5), Yellow Squash (Sep 5), Zucchini (Sep 5), Cauliflower (Sep 6), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 1), Cilantro (Oct 1), Collards (Oct 5), Scallions (Oct 5), Bok Choy (Oct 6), Lettuce (Oct 6), +6 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 27). First frost around November 27. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 10), Lavender (Dec 10), Onion (Dec 10), Rosemary (Dec 10), Celery (Dec 24), Collards (Dec 24), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 18). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Santa Rosa, CA (ZIP 95404)?
The median last spring frost date for Santa Rosa, CA (ZIP code 95404) is around March 4. 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 16; one in ten it runs past April 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Santa Rosa, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Santa Rosa, CA is around November 27. 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 Santa Rosa, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Santa Rosa is about 268 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 Rosa (268 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 Rosa, CA?
Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 28 and plant out Mar 18 in Santa Rosa. 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 Rosa?
Two: plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4.
When do I plant garlic in Santa Rosa?
Nov 27 to Dec 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Santa Rosa?
Yes: plant out Mar 18 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 28 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Santa Rosa (ZIP 95403) has 289 frost-free days, 21 more than Santa Rosa (ZIP 95404). See Santa Rosa ZIP 95403 frost dates
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