Last frost date in Atascadero, CA

Average last frost
March 15

The average last frost in Atascadero is March 15. By April 13 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 10, which leaves 238 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 23 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 13
Average first frost
Nov 10
Frost-free season
238 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 9
Next 6 nights in Atascadero

No frost in the next 6 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2345°
  3. SatOct 2445°
  4. SunOct 2544°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2744°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 15First frost Nov 10238 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND238 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Paso Robles, 9.8 miles from Atascadero.

Planting calendar for Atascadero

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across California.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 22–Apr 5
PumpkinsMar 29–Apr 12
SunflowersMar 15–Apr 5
CucumbersMar 29–Apr 5
CornMar 22–Apr 5
Sweet potatoesApr 5–Apr 19
WatermelonMar 29–Apr 12
Green beansMar 22–Apr 12
ZucchiniMar 22–Apr 5
OkraApr 5–Apr 19
PeppersMar 29–Apr 12
BasilMar 22–Apr 5
Butternut squashMar 22–Apr 5
CantaloupeMar 29–Apr 12
EggplantMar 29–Apr 12
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
OnionsFeb 1–Feb 22
CarrotsFeb 22–Mar 29
LettuceMar 1–Mar 22
BroccoliFeb 15–Mar 1
BeetsFeb 15–Mar 29
PeasFeb 1–Feb 15
CabbageFeb 15–Mar 1
RadishesFeb 8–Mar 22
Brussels sproutsMar 1–Mar 15
SpinachFeb 1–Feb 22
CilantroMar 1–Mar 22
KaleFeb 15–Mar 1
Collard greensFeb 15–Mar 1
TurnipsFeb 15–Mar 1
DillMar 15–Mar 29
CeleryMar 22–Mar 29
CauliflowerMar 1–Mar 15
LeeksMar 1–Mar 15
Swiss chardMar 1–Mar 29
ParsleyMar 1–Mar 22
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 27–Dec 1
GarlicOct 20–Nov 24
Daffodil bulbsOct 13–Nov 24
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 15–Mar 1
AsparagusFeb 15–Mar 1

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 12Mar 15Apr 13Oct 23Nov 10Nov 29
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 2Feb 9Mar 4Nov 4Nov 26Dec 19

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Paso Robles (USC00046730) sits 9.8 miles from the center of Atascadero at 730 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Atascadero, CA?

The average last frost date in Atascadero is March 15, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 13.

When is the first frost in Atascadero?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 10. One year in ten it arrives before October 23.

How long is the growing season in Atascadero?

About 238 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Atascadero?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 22 to April 5. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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