Last frost date in Santa Maria, CA

Average last frost
February 4

The average last frost in Santa Maria is February 4. By March 16 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 13, which leaves 315 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 16
Average first frost
Dec 13
Frost-free season
315 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 5
Next 6 nights in Santa Maria

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2251°
  2. FriOct 2353°
  3. SatOct 2452°
  4. SunOct 2553°
  5. MonOct 2652°
  6. TueOct 2752°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 4First frost Dec 13315 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND315 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Santa Maria Public Airport, 2.3 miles from Santa Maria.

Planting calendar for Santa Maria

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 18–Mar 4
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 25–Mar 11
WatermelonFeb 18–Mar 4
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 25–Mar 11
PeppersFeb 18–Mar 4
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 18–Mar 4
EggplantFeb 18–Mar 4
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 7–Jan 21
OnionsDec 24–Jan 14
CarrotsJan 14–Feb 18
LettuceJan 21–Feb 11
BroccoliJan 7–Jan 21
BeetsJan 7–Feb 18
PeasDec 24–Jan 7
CabbageJan 7–Jan 21
RadishesDec 31–Feb 11
Brussels sproutsJan 21–Feb 4
SpinachDec 24–Jan 14
CilantroJan 21–Feb 11
KaleJan 7–Jan 21
Collard greensJan 7–Jan 21
TurnipsJan 7–Jan 21
DillFeb 4–Feb 18
CeleryFeb 11–Feb 18
CauliflowerJan 21–Feb 4
LeeksJan 21–Feb 4
Swiss chardJan 21–Feb 18
ParsleyJan 21–Feb 11
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 7–Jan 21
AsparagusJan 7–Jan 21

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 29Feb 4Mar 16Nov 21Dec 13Jan 10
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 14Jan 5Feb 8Dec 5Dec 27Jan 27

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 Maria Public Airport (USW00023273) sits 2.3 miles from the center of Santa Maria at 242 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 Santa Maria, CA?

The average last frost date in Santa Maria is February 4, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 16.

When is the first frost in Santa Maria?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 13. One year in ten it arrives before November 21.

How long is the growing season in Santa Maria?

About 315 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Santa Maria?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in California

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