Frost dates for San Francisco, California
In a typical year, San Francisco’s last spring frost lands around Dec 30 and the first fall frost around Dec 25, a growing season of about 360 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 61 days until the typical first fall frost.
| Odds | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | Dec 2 | Nov 26 |
| 50 percent | Dec 30 | Dec 25 |
| 90 percent | Mar 13 | Feb 13 |
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 Francisco is typically around 59°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.
Plantable now in San Francisco
- Radish (Cherry Belle)
- Lettuce (Buttercrunch)
- Beet (Detroit Dark Red)
- Spinach (Space)
- Swiss chard (Bright Lights)
- Kale (Lacinato)
- Bok choy (Joi Choi)
- Pea (Sugar Ann)
Timing comes from the same temperature engine the app uses, run against San Francisco’s normals for today.
Common questions
When is the last frost in San Francisco, California?
San Francisco’s last spring frost falls around December 30 in a typical year. One year in ten it is done by December 2, and one year in ten frost holds on until March 13. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the late side of that band.
When is the first fall frost in San Francisco?
The first fall frost arrives around December 25 in a typical year, as early as November 26 in an early year and as late as February 13 in a late one.
How long is the growing season in San Francisco?
About 360 days, counted between the typical last spring frost and the typical first fall frost.
What USDA zone is San Francisco in?
San Francisco 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
- Oakland, CA (around Jan 3 to Jan 1)
- Berkeley, CA (around Jan 3 to Jan 1)
- Richmond, CA (around Jan 4 to Jan 2)
- Hayward, CA (around Jan 2 to Dec 25)
- Vallejo, CA (around Jan 17 to Dec 27)
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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