Last frost date in Santa Rosa, CA

Average last frost
February 25

Expect the last frost in Santa Rosa around February 25. Frost after March 29 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 1, which leaves 279 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 10 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 29
Average first frost
Dec 1
Frost-free season
279 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 20
Next 6 nights in Santa Rosa

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2246°
  2. FriOct 2343°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2645°
  6. TueOct 2746°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 25First frost Dec 1279 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND279 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Santa Rosa, 0.8 miles from Santa Rosa.

Planting calendar for Santa Rosa

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
TomatoesMar 4–Mar 18
PumpkinsMar 11–Mar 25
SunflowersFeb 25–Mar 18
CucumbersMar 11–Mar 18
CornMar 4–Mar 18
Sweet potatoesMar 18–Apr 1
WatermelonMar 11–Mar 25
Green beansMar 4–Mar 25
ZucchiniMar 4–Mar 18
OkraMar 18–Apr 1
PeppersMar 11–Mar 25
BasilMar 4–Mar 18
Butternut squashMar 4–Mar 18
CantaloupeMar 11–Mar 25
EggplantMar 11–Mar 25
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 28–Feb 11
OnionsJan 14–Feb 4
CarrotsFeb 4–Mar 11
LettuceFeb 11–Mar 4
BroccoliJan 28–Feb 11
BeetsJan 28–Mar 11
PeasJan 14–Jan 28
CabbageJan 28–Feb 11
RadishesJan 21–Mar 4
Brussels sproutsFeb 11–Feb 25
SpinachJan 14–Feb 4
CilantroFeb 11–Mar 4
KaleJan 28–Feb 11
Collard greensJan 28–Feb 11
TurnipsJan 28–Feb 11
DillFeb 25–Mar 11
CeleryMar 4–Mar 11
CauliflowerFeb 11–Feb 25
LeeksFeb 11–Feb 25
Swiss chardFeb 11–Mar 11
ParsleyFeb 11–Mar 4
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 17–Dec 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 28–Feb 11
AsparagusJan 28–Feb 11

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 21Feb 25Mar 29Nov 10Dec 1Dec 24
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 22Jan 20Feb 24Nov 26Dec 16Jan 19

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 Rosa (USC00047965) sits 0.8 miles from the center of Santa Rosa at 166 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 Rosa, CA?

The average last frost date in Santa Rosa is February 25, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 29.

When is the first frost in Santa Rosa?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 1. One year in ten it arrives before November 10.

How long is the growing season in Santa Rosa?

About 279 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Santa Rosa?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 4 to March 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in California

All 348 cities in California