Last frost date in Oceanside, CA

Average last frost
January 23

In Oceanside, the last spring frost comes around January 23 in an average year. Wait until February 22 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 11, which leaves 325 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 22
Average first frost
Dec 11
Frost-free season
325 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Dec 31
Next 6 nights in Oceanside

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2259°
  2. FriOct 2355°
  3. SatOct 2458°
  4. SunOct 2560°
  5. MonOct 2660°
  6. TueOct 2759°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 23First frost Dec 11325 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND325 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Oceanside Municipal Airport, 2.5 miles from Oceanside.

Planting calendar for Oceanside

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 26–Jan 9
OnionsDec 12–Jan 2
CarrotsJan 2–Feb 6
LettuceJan 9–Jan 30
BroccoliDec 26–Jan 9
BeetsDec 26–Feb 6
PeasDec 12–Dec 26
CabbageDec 26–Jan 9
RadishesDec 19–Jan 30
Brussels sproutsJan 9–Jan 23
SpinachDec 12–Jan 2
CilantroJan 9–Jan 30
KaleDec 26–Jan 9
Collard greensDec 26–Jan 9
TurnipsDec 26–Jan 9
DillJan 23–Feb 6
CeleryJan 30–Feb 6
CauliflowerJan 9–Jan 23
LeeksJan 9–Jan 23
Swiss chardJan 9–Feb 6
ParsleyJan 9–Jan 30
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 26–Jan 9
AsparagusDec 26–Jan 9

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 22Jan 23Feb 22Nov 21Dec 11Jan 15
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 9Dec 31Jan 31Dec 3Dec 23Jan 25

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 Oceanside Municipal Airport (USW00053121) sits 2.5 miles from the center of Oceanside at 28 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 Oceanside, CA?

The average last frost date in Oceanside is January 23, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 22.

When is the first frost in Oceanside?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 11. One year in ten it arrives before November 21.

How long is the growing season in Oceanside?

About 325 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Oceanside?

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