Newark, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jan 1
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
360 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 16 Jan 1 Jan 22
First fall frost Jan 14 Dec 27 Dec 9

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the NEWARK 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 Newark

Computed from Newark'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 Nov 6 – Nov 20 Jan 8 – Jan 15
🫑 Peppers Oct 23 – Nov 6 Jan 15 – Jan 22
🥬 Lettuce Nov 20 – Dec 4 Dec 4 – Dec 18 Dec 4 – Jan 1
🫛 Peas Nov 20 – Dec 4
🥕 Carrots Dec 11 – Jan 1
🥦 Broccoli Nov 13 – Nov 27 Dec 11 – Dec 25
🥬 Kale Nov 20 – Dec 4 Dec 4 – Dec 18 Dec 4 – Dec 18
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 4 – Dec 11 Jan 8 – Jan 15 Jan 8 – Jan 15
🥒 Zucchini Dec 4 – Dec 11 Jan 8 – Jan 15 Jan 8 – Jan 15
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 8 – Jan 15
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 8 – Jan 15
🌿 Basil Nov 20 – Dec 4 Jan 8 – Jan 15 Jan 15 – Jan 22
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 15 – Dec 13

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 Newark's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Newark

With roughly 360 frost-free days, Newark 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 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Newark, CA?

The average last spring frost in Newark is around Jan 1, 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 Newark, CA?

The average first fall frost in Newark arrives around Dec 27. 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 Newark?

About 360 frost-free days on average, from Jan 1 to Dec 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Newark 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.