Los Banos, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Los Banos garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jan 26
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 10
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
318 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 10b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 29 Jan 26 Feb 20
First fall frost Jan 4 Dec 10 Nov 26
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 6 · first Dec 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the LOS BANOS station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Los Banos

Computed from Los Banos's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-10 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 1 – Dec 15 Feb 2 – Feb 9
🫑 Peppers Nov 17 – Dec 1 Feb 9 – Feb 16
🥬 Lettuce Dec 15 – Dec 29 Dec 29 – Jan 12 Dec 29 – Jan 26
🫛 Peas Dec 15 – Dec 29
🥕 Carrots Jan 5 – Jan 26
🥦 Broccoli Dec 8 – Dec 22 Jan 5 – Jan 19
🥬 Kale Dec 15 – Dec 29 Dec 29 – Jan 12 Dec 29 – Jan 12
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 29 – Jan 5 Feb 2 – Feb 9 Feb 2 – Feb 9
🥒 Zucchini Dec 29 – Jan 5 Feb 2 – Feb 9 Feb 2 – Feb 9
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 2 – Feb 9
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 2 – Feb 9
🌿 Basil Dec 15 – Dec 29 Feb 2 – Feb 9 Feb 9 – Feb 16
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 29 – Nov 26

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Los Banos's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Los Banos

With roughly 318 frost-free days, Los Banos gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Dec 10 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Los Banos, CA?

The average last spring frost in Los Banos is around Jan 26, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Los Banos, CA?

The average first fall frost in Los Banos arrives around Dec 10. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Los Banos?

About 318 frost-free days on average, from Jan 26 to Dec 10. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Los Banos in?

USDA zone 10b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.