Last frost date in El Cerrito, CA
The average last frost in El Cerrito is January 3. By February 14 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 1, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 10 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Feb 14
- Average first frost
- Jan 1
- Frost-free season
- 365 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- rare
No frost in the next 6 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2253°
- FriOct 2349°
- SatOct 2450°
- SunOct 2552°
- MonOct 2652°
- TueOct 2752°
Planting calendar for El Cerrito
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across California.
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
PotatoesDec 6–Dec 20
OnionsNov 22–Dec 13
CarrotsDec 13–Jan 17
LettuceDec 20–Jan 10
BroccoliDec 6–Dec 20
BeetsDec 6–Jan 17
PeasNov 22–Dec 6
CabbageDec 6–Dec 20
RadishesNov 29–Jan 10
Brussels sproutsDec 20–Jan 3
SpinachNov 22–Dec 13
CilantroDec 20–Jan 10
KaleDec 6–Dec 20
Collard greensDec 6–Dec 20
TurnipsDec 6–Dec 20
DillJan 3–Jan 17
CeleryJan 10–Jan 17
CauliflowerDec 20–Jan 3
LeeksDec 20–Jan 3
Swiss chardDec 20–Jan 17
ParsleyDec 20–Jan 10
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
StrawberriesDec 6–Dec 20
AsparagusDec 6–Dec 20Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Dec 14 | Jan 3 | Feb 14 | Dec 10 | Jan 1 | Jan 29 |
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 Berkeley (USC00040693) sits 3.9 miles from the center of El Cerrito at 310 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 El Cerrito, CA?
The average last frost date in El Cerrito is January 3, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 14.
When is the first frost in El Cerrito?
The first frost in fall usually comes around January 1. One year in ten it arrives before December 10.
How long is the growing season in El Cerrito?
About 365 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in El Cerrito?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.