Frost Dates for Sonoma, CA 95476
Last spring frost February 28 · First fall frost November 27 · 272 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95476 has about 35,200 people.
Very long season: 272 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 13–April 15 (92 days). Fall frost risk spans October 29–December 20 (52 days).
Frost probability for 95476
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 15 | February 28 | January 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 29 | November 27 | December 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PETALUMA AP (12.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 272-day season in Sonoma
In Sonoma (272 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 24 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 230 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 14. | Jul 28 |
| Pepper | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 230 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 14. | Aug 2 |
| Lettuce | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 314 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 314 available after Feb 7. | Sep 25 |
| Cucumber | Feb 7 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Beans | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Peas | — | Jan 3–Mar 14 | 335 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 3. | Sep 16 |
| Zucchini | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Onion | Dec 6 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 307 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 307 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 3–Feb 21 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Kale | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Broccoli | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 307 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 307 available after Jan 31. | Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 321 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 31. | Sep 25 |
| Radish | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 26 |
| Beets | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 293 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 27 | 377 | overwinter: Plant Nov 27 to Dec 18; harvest the following summer. | Dec 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 24–Mar 21 | 328 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 31 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 244 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 7. | Aug 9 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 14. | Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 17 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 286 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 21. | Sep 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 3 | Feb 14–Feb 14 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 321 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 31. | Aug 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 14. | Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 14. | Aug 7 |
| Okra | Jan 31 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Basil | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 31–Feb 21 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Parsley | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 272 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 7. | Sep 11 |
| Celery | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 272 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 7. | Jul 23 |
| Scallions | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 31 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Collards | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 230 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 14. | Jul 23 |
| Chives | Dec 6 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 286 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Oregano | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 286 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 6 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 272 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Sage | Jan 3 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 286 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 286 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Cosmos | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Lavender | Dec 6 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 293 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Melons | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 230 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 14. | Jul 23 |
| Mint | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 293 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 251 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 7. | Aug 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 237 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 14. | Jul 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 258 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 28. | Aug 21 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 3 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 237 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 7. | Aug 2 |
| Watermelon | Feb 14 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 237 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 7. | Jul 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Zinnias | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
Month by month in Sonoma
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 3), Cabbage (Jan 3), Lettuce (Jan 3), Sage (Jan 3), Swiss Chard (Jan 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 3), Beets (Jan 3), Dill (Jan 3), Peas (Jan 3), Radish (Jan 3), Spinach (Jan 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 31), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 31), Cabbage (Jan 31), Collards (Jan 31), Kale (Jan 31), Lettuce (Jan 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 7), Butternut Squash (Feb 14), Cantaloupe (Feb 14), Melons (Feb 14), Pumpkin (Feb 14), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 7), Potatoes (Feb 14), Sunflowers (Feb 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 14), Swiss Chard (Feb 14), Bok Choy (Feb 21), Cauliflower (Feb 21), Cosmos (Feb 28), Lavender (Feb 28), +4 more. Last frost around February 28. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 7), Pole Beans (Mar 7). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 7), Chives (Mar 7), Corn (Mar 7), Okra (Mar 7), Oregano (Mar 7), Parsley (Mar 7), +17 more. |
| 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 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 6), Lavender (Dec 6), Onion (Dec 6), Rosemary (Dec 6), Celery (Dec 20), Collards (Dec 20), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 18). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Sonoma, CA (ZIP 95476)?
The median last spring frost date for Sonoma, CA (ZIP code 95476) is around February 28. 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 13; one in ten it runs past April 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Sonoma, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Sonoma, 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 Sonoma, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Sonoma is about 272 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 Sonoma (272 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 Sonoma, CA?
Sonoma, 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 Sonoma, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 24 and plant out Mar 14 in Sonoma. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Sonoma?
Two: plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4.
When do I plant garlic in Sonoma?
Nov 27 to Dec 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Sonoma?
Yes: plant out Mar 14 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?
Napa (ZIP 94559) has 286 frost-free days, 14 more than Sonoma (ZIP 95476). See Napa ZIP 94559 frost dates
Nearby and related
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