Last frost date in Seaside, CA

Average last frost
January 2

Expect the last frost in Seaside around January 2. Frost after January 20 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 23, which leaves 363 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Jan 20
Average first frost
Dec 23
Frost-free season
363 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
rare
Next 6 nights in Seaside

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2254°
  2. FriOct 2350°
  3. SatOct 2452°
  4. SunOct 2553°
  5. MonOct 2653°
  6. TueOct 2753°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 2First frost Dec 23363 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND363 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Monterey Peninsul Airport, 3.0 miles from Seaside.

Planting calendar for Seaside

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 5–Dec 19
OnionsNov 21–Dec 12
CarrotsDec 12–Jan 16
LettuceDec 19–Jan 9
BroccoliDec 5–Dec 19
BeetsDec 5–Jan 16
PeasNov 21–Dec 5
CabbageDec 5–Dec 19
RadishesNov 28–Jan 9
Brussels sproutsDec 19–Jan 2
SpinachNov 21–Dec 12
CilantroDec 19–Jan 9
KaleDec 5–Dec 19
Collard greensDec 5–Dec 19
TurnipsDec 5–Dec 19
DillJan 2–Jan 16
CeleryJan 9–Jan 16
CauliflowerDec 19–Jan 2
LeeksDec 19–Jan 2
Swiss chardDec 19–Jan 16
ParsleyDec 19–Jan 9
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 5–Dec 19
AsparagusDec 5–Dec 19

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 6Jan 2Jan 20Dec 1Dec 23Jan 12

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 Monterey Peninsul Airport (USW00023259) sits 3.0 miles from the center of Seaside at 165 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 Seaside, CA?

The average last frost date in Seaside is January 2, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after January 20.

When is the first frost in Seaside?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 23. One year in ten it arrives before December 1.

How long is the growing season in Seaside?

About 363 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Seaside?

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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