Last frost date in Goleta, CA

Average last frost
January 11

The average last frost in Goleta is January 11. By February 13 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 16, which leaves 342 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 13
Average first frost
Dec 16
Frost-free season
342 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Dec 30
Next 6 nights in Goleta

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2252°
  2. FriOct 2352°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2556°
  5. MonOct 2655°
  6. TueOct 2755°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 11First frost Dec 16342 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND342 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, 1.2 miles from Goleta.

Planting calendar for Goleta

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 14–Dec 28
OnionsNov 30–Dec 21
CarrotsDec 21–Jan 25
LettuceDec 28–Jan 18
BroccoliDec 14–Dec 28
BeetsDec 14–Jan 25
PeasNov 30–Dec 14
CabbageDec 14–Dec 28
RadishesDec 7–Jan 18
Brussels sproutsDec 28–Jan 11
SpinachNov 30–Dec 21
CilantroDec 28–Jan 18
KaleDec 14–Dec 28
Collard greensDec 14–Dec 28
TurnipsDec 14–Dec 28
DillJan 11–Jan 25
CeleryJan 18–Jan 25
CauliflowerDec 28–Jan 11
LeeksDec 28–Jan 11
Swiss chardDec 28–Jan 25
ParsleyDec 28–Jan 18
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 14–Dec 28
AsparagusDec 14–Dec 28

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 14Jan 11Feb 13Dec 1Dec 16Jan 18
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 8Dec 30Jan 18Dec 7Dec 26Jan 12

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 Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (USW00023190) sits 1.2 miles from the center of Goleta at 9 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 Goleta, CA?

The average last frost date in Goleta is January 11, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 13.

When is the first frost in Goleta?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 16. One year in ten it arrives before December 1.

How long is the growing season in Goleta?

About 342 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Goleta?

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