Oakland Metro International Airport, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jan 7
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
350 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 13 Jan 7 Feb 8
First fall frost Jan 24 Dec 23 Nov 30
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Dec 30 · first Dec 28

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the OAKLAND METRO INTL AP 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 Oakland Metro International Airport

Computed from Oakland Metro International Airport'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 12 – Nov 26 Jan 14 – Jan 21
🫑 Peppers Oct 29 – Nov 12 Jan 21 – Jan 28
🥬 Lettuce Nov 26 – Dec 10 Dec 10 – Dec 24 Dec 10 – Jan 7
🫛 Peas Nov 26 – Dec 10
🥕 Carrots Dec 17 – Jan 7
🥦 Broccoli Nov 19 – Dec 3 Dec 17 – Dec 31
🥬 Kale Nov 26 – Dec 10 Dec 10 – Dec 24 Dec 10 – Dec 24
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 10 – Dec 17 Jan 14 – Jan 21 Jan 14 – Jan 21
🥒 Zucchini Dec 10 – Dec 17 Jan 14 – Jan 21 Jan 14 – Jan 21
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 14 – Jan 21
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 14 – Jan 21
🌿 Basil Nov 26 – Dec 10 Jan 14 – Jan 21 Jan 21 – Jan 28
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 11 – Dec 9

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 Oakland Metro International Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Oakland Metro International Airport

With roughly 350 frost-free days, Oakland Metro International Airport 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 23 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Oakland Metro International Airport, CA?

The average last spring frost in Oakland Metro International Airport is around Jan 7, 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 Oakland Metro International Airport, CA?

The average first fall frost in Oakland Metro International Airport arrives around Dec 23. 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 Oakland Metro International Airport?

About 350 frost-free days on average, from Jan 7 to Dec 23. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Oakland Metro International Airport 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.