Frost dates for San Diego, California
In a typical year, San Diego’s last spring frost lands around Jan 6 and the first fall frost around Dec 31, a growing season of about 359 days. These are odds drawn from 30-year NOAA climate normals, not a promise. USDA zone 10b.
Right now the growing season is open, with about 67 days until the typical first fall frost.
| Odds | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | Dec 13 | Dec 11 |
| 50 percent | Jan 6 | Dec 31 |
| 90 percent | Feb 5 | Jan 30 |
A 10 percent year is an early year, a 90 percent year a late one. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the 90 percent side of the last-frost band.
Soil in San Diego is typically around 64°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.
Plantable now in San Diego
- Radish (Cherry Belle)
- Lettuce (Buttercrunch)
- Pea (Sugar Snap)
- Beet (Detroit Dark Red)
- Spinach (Space)
- Onion (Vidalia)
- Swiss chard (Bright Lights)
- Kale (Lacinato)
Timing comes from the same temperature engine the app uses, run against San Diego’s normals for today.
Common questions
When is the last frost in San Diego, California?
San Diego’s last spring frost falls around January 6 in a typical year. One year in ten it is done by December 13, and one year in ten frost holds on until February 5. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the late side of that band.
When is the first fall frost in San Diego?
The first fall frost arrives around December 31 in a typical year, as early as December 11 in an early year and as late as January 30 in a late one.
How long is the growing season in San Diego?
About 359 days, counted between the typical last spring frost and the typical first fall frost.
What USDA zone is San Diego in?
San Diego is in USDA hardiness zone 10b under the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Dates come from 30-year NOAA climate normals for the nearest reporting station. They describe odds, not a forecast.
Nearby cities
- Chula Vista, CA (around Jan 6 to Dec 31)
- Escondido, CA (around Jan 2 to Dec 30)
- Oceanside, CA (around Jan 23 to Dec 11)
- Irvine, CA (around Jan 5 to Dec 25)
- Huntington Beach, CA (around Jan 5 to Dec 25)
Row & Bed is a plant reference built around your garden: your zone, your frost dates, your forecast, and a cited page for every variety in your beds.
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