Last frost date in San Luis Obispo, CA
The average last frost in San Luis Obispo is January 31. By March 7 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 11, which leaves 319 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 20 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Mar 7
- Average first frost
- Dec 11
- Frost-free season
- 319 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Jan 3
No frost in the next 6 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2253°
- FriOct 2353°
- SatOct 2453°
- SunOct 2552°
- MonOct 2653°
- TueOct 2752°
Planting calendar for San Luis Obispo
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 21–Mar 7
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 21–Mar 7
PeppersFeb 15–Mar 1
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 15–Mar 1
EggplantFeb 15–Mar 1
PotatoesJan 3–Jan 17
OnionsDec 20–Jan 10
CarrotsJan 10–Feb 14
LettuceJan 17–Feb 7
BroccoliJan 3–Jan 17
BeetsJan 3–Feb 14
PeasDec 20–Jan 3
CabbageJan 3–Jan 17
RadishesDec 27–Feb 7
Brussels sproutsJan 17–Jan 31
SpinachDec 20–Jan 10
CilantroJan 17–Feb 7
KaleJan 3–Jan 17
Collard greensJan 3–Jan 17
TurnipsJan 3–Jan 17
DillJan 31–Feb 14
CeleryFeb 7–Feb 14
CauliflowerJan 17–Jan 31
LeeksJan 17–Jan 31
Swiss chardJan 17–Feb 14
ParsleyJan 17–Feb 7
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
StrawberriesJan 3–Jan 17
AsparagusJan 3–Jan 17Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Dec 23 | Jan 31 | Mar 7 | Nov 20 | Dec 11 | Jan 13 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Dec 11 | Jan 3 | Feb 1 | Dec 4 | Dec 28 | Jan 26 |
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 San Luis Obispo Airport (USW00093206) sits 2.5 miles from the center of San Luis Obispo at 200 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 San Luis Obispo, CA?
The average last frost date in San Luis Obispo is January 31, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 7.
When is the first frost in San Luis Obispo?
The first frost in fall usually comes around December 11. One year in ten it arrives before November 20.
How long is the growing season in San Luis Obispo?
About 319 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in San Luis Obispo?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in California
- AtascaderoMar 15
- El Paso de RoblesMar 15
- Santa MariaFeb 4
- OrcuttFeb 4
- LompocJan 20
- GoletaJan 11
- Eastern Goleta ValleyJan 11
- WascoJan 31
- GreenfieldFeb 23
- Santa BarbaraJan 13
- ShafterFeb 20
- CorcoranFeb 15