Skyline Ridge Preserve, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 21
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
269 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 19 Mar 21 Apr 28
First fall frost Jan 30 Dec 15 Nov 21
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 29 · first Jan 4

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SKYLINE RIDGE PRESERVE 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 Skyline Ridge Preserve

Computed from Skyline Ridge Preserve'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 Jan 24 – Feb 7 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🫑 Peppers Jan 10 – Jan 24 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🥬 Lettuce Feb 7 – Feb 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7 Feb 21 – Mar 21
🫛 Peas Feb 7 – Feb 21
🥕 Carrots Feb 28 – Mar 21
🥦 Broccoli Jan 31 – Feb 14 Feb 28 – Mar 14
🥬 Kale Feb 7 – Feb 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7 Feb 21 – Mar 7
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 21 – Feb 28 Mar 28 – Apr 4 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🥒 Zucchini Feb 21 – Feb 28 Mar 28 – Apr 4 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 28 – Apr 4
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 28 – Apr 4
🌿 Basil Feb 7 – Feb 21 Mar 28 – Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 3 – Dec 1

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 Skyline Ridge Preserve's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Skyline Ridge Preserve

With roughly 269 frost-free days, Skyline Ridge Preserve 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 15 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Skyline Ridge Preserve, CA?

The average last spring frost in Skyline Ridge Preserve is around Mar 21, 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 Skyline Ridge Preserve, CA?

The average first fall frost in Skyline Ridge Preserve arrives around Dec 15. 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 Skyline Ridge Preserve?

About 269 frost-free days on average, from Mar 21 to Dec 15. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Skyline Ridge Preserve 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.