Last frost date in Salinas, CA

Average last frost
January 29

In Salinas, the last spring frost comes around January 29 in an average year. Wait until March 1 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 10, which leaves 325 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 1
Average first frost
Dec 10
Frost-free season
325 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Dec 31
Next 6 nights in Salinas

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2254°
  2. FriOct 2348°
  3. SatOct 2451°
  4. SunOct 2552°
  5. MonOct 2652°
  6. TueOct 2752°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 29First frost Dec 10325 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND325 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Salinas Municipal Airport, 2.3 miles from Salinas.

Planting calendar for Salinas

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 19–Mar 5
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 19–Mar 5
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
PotatoesJan 1–Jan 15
OnionsDec 18–Jan 8
CarrotsJan 8–Feb 12
LettuceJan 15–Feb 5
BroccoliJan 1–Jan 15
BeetsJan 1–Feb 12
PeasDec 18–Jan 1
CabbageJan 1–Jan 15
RadishesDec 25–Feb 5
Brussels sproutsJan 15–Jan 29
SpinachDec 18–Jan 8
CilantroJan 15–Feb 5
KaleJan 1–Jan 15
Collard greensJan 1–Jan 15
TurnipsJan 1–Jan 15
DillJan 29–Feb 12
CeleryFeb 5–Feb 12
CauliflowerJan 15–Jan 29
LeeksJan 15–Jan 29
Swiss chardJan 15–Feb 12
ParsleyJan 15–Feb 5
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 1–Jan 15
AsparagusJan 1–Jan 15

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 18Jan 29Mar 1Nov 21Dec 10Jan 15
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 6Dec 31Jan 31Dec 1Dec 25Jan 20

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 Salinas Municipal Airport (USW00023233) sits 2.3 miles from the center of Salinas at 74 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 Salinas, CA?

The average last frost date in Salinas is January 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 1.

When is the first frost in Salinas?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 10. One year in ten it arrives before November 21.

How long is the growing season in Salinas?

About 325 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Salinas?

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