Big Sur Stn, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Big Sur Stn garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 13
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
317 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 26 Feb 13 Apr 1
First fall frost Feb 22 Dec 27 Nov 23
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 25 · first Jan 6

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BIG SUR STN 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 Big Sur Stn

Computed from Big Sur Stn'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 Dec 19 – Jan 2 Feb 20 – Feb 27
🫑 Peppers Dec 5 – Dec 19 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🥬 Lettuce Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 16 – Jan 30 Jan 16 – Feb 13
🫛 Peas Jan 2 – Jan 16
🥕 Carrots Jan 23 – Feb 13
🥦 Broccoli Dec 26 – Jan 9 Jan 23 – Feb 6
🥬 Kale Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 16 – Jan 30 Jan 16 – Jan 30
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 16 – Jan 23 Feb 20 – Feb 27 Feb 20 – Feb 27
🥒 Zucchini Jan 16 – Jan 23 Feb 20 – Feb 27 Feb 20 – Feb 27
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 20 – Feb 27
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 20 – Feb 27
🌿 Basil Jan 2 – Jan 16 Feb 20 – Feb 27 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 15 – Dec 13

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 Big Sur Stn's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Big Sur Stn

With roughly 317 frost-free days, Big Sur Stn 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 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Big Sur Stn, CA?

The average last spring frost in Big Sur Stn is around Feb 13, 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 Big Sur Stn, CA?

The average first fall frost in Big Sur Stn arrives around Dec 27. 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 Big Sur Stn?

About 317 frost-free days on average, from Feb 13 to Dec 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Big Sur Stn 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.