Salinas #2, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Salinas #2 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 4
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 6
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
305 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 25 Feb 4 Mar 11
First fall frost Jan 5 Dec 6 Nov 18
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Dec 31 · first Dec 19

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SALINAS #2 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 Salinas #2

Computed from Salinas #2's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 10 – Dec 24 Feb 11 – Feb 18
🫑 Peppers Nov 26 – Dec 10 Feb 18 – Feb 25
🥬 Lettuce Dec 24 – Jan 7 Jan 7 – Jan 21 Jan 7 – Feb 4
🫛 Peas Dec 24 – Jan 7
🥕 Carrots Jan 14 – Feb 4
🥦 Broccoli Dec 17 – Dec 31 Jan 14 – Jan 28
🥬 Kale Dec 24 – Jan 7 Jan 7 – Jan 21 Jan 7 – Jan 21
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 7 – Jan 14 Feb 11 – Feb 18 Feb 11 – Feb 18
🥒 Zucchini Jan 7 – Jan 14 Feb 11 – Feb 18 Feb 11 – Feb 18
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 11 – Feb 18
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 11 – Feb 18
🌿 Basil Dec 24 – Jan 7 Feb 11 – Feb 18 Feb 18 – Feb 25
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 25 – Nov 22

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 Salinas #2's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Salinas #2

With roughly 305 frost-free days, Salinas #2 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 6 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Salinas #2, CA?

The average last spring frost in Salinas #2 is around Feb 4, 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 Salinas #2, CA?

The average first fall frost in Salinas #2 arrives around Dec 6. 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 Salinas #2?

About 305 frost-free days on average, from Feb 4 to Dec 6. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Salinas #2 in?

USDA zone 9b 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.