Last frost date in Benicia, CA

Average last frost
January 17

In Benicia, the last spring frost comes around January 17 in an average year. Wait until March 4 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 27, which leaves 346 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 4 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 4
Average first frost
Dec 27
Frost-free season
346 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 5
Next 6 nights in Benicia

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2253°
  2. FriOct 2352°
  3. SatOct 2451°
  4. SunOct 2552°
  5. MonOct 2652°
  6. TueOct 2752°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 17First frost Dec 27346 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND346 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Vallejo, 2.6 miles from Benicia.

Planting calendar for Benicia

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
TomatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
PumpkinsFeb 15–Mar 1
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 15–Mar 1
PeppersFeb 15–Mar 1
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 15–Mar 1
EggplantFeb 15–Mar 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesDec 20–Jan 3
OnionsDec 6–Dec 27
CarrotsDec 27–Jan 31
LettuceJan 3–Jan 24
BroccoliDec 20–Jan 3
BeetsDec 20–Jan 31
PeasDec 6–Dec 20
CabbageDec 20–Jan 3
RadishesDec 13–Jan 24
Brussels sproutsJan 3–Jan 17
SpinachDec 6–Dec 27
CilantroJan 3–Jan 24
KaleDec 20–Jan 3
Collard greensDec 20–Jan 3
TurnipsDec 20–Jan 3
DillJan 17–Jan 31
CeleryJan 24–Jan 31
CauliflowerJan 3–Jan 17
LeeksJan 3–Jan 17
Swiss chardJan 3–Jan 31
ParsleyJan 3–Jan 24
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 20–Jan 3
AsparagusDec 20–Jan 3

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 23Jan 17Mar 4Dec 4Dec 27Feb 4
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 19Jan 5Jan 19Dec 13Jan 2Jan 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 Vallejo (USC00049219) sits 2.6 miles from the center of Benicia at 341 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 Benicia, CA?

The average last frost date in Benicia is January 17, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 4.

When is the first frost in Benicia?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 27. One year in ten it arrives before December 4.

How long is the growing season in Benicia?

About 346 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Benicia?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in California

All 348 cities in California