Fallbrook 5 NE, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Fallbrook 5 NE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 2
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Jan 30
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
362 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 26 Feb 2 Feb 24
First fall frost Feb 24 Jan 30 Dec 23

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FALLBROOK 5 NE 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 Fallbrook 5 NE

Computed from Fallbrook 5 NE'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 8 – Dec 22 Feb 9 – Feb 16
🫑 Peppers Nov 24 – Dec 8 Feb 16 – Feb 23
🥬 Lettuce Dec 22 – Jan 5 Jan 5 – Jan 19 Jan 5 – Feb 2
🫛 Peas Dec 22 – Jan 5
🥕 Carrots Jan 12 – Feb 2
🥦 Broccoli Dec 15 – Dec 29 Jan 12 – Jan 26
🥬 Kale Dec 22 – Jan 5 Jan 5 – Jan 19 Jan 5 – Jan 19
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 5 – Jan 12 Feb 9 – Feb 16 Feb 9 – Feb 16
🥒 Zucchini Jan 5 – Jan 12 Feb 9 – Feb 16 Feb 9 – Feb 16
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 9 – Feb 16
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 9 – Feb 16
🌿 Basil Dec 22 – Jan 5 Feb 9 – Feb 16 Feb 16 – Feb 23
🧄 Garlic Fall: Dec 19 – Jan 16

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 Fallbrook 5 NE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Fallbrook 5 NE

With roughly 362 frost-free days, Fallbrook 5 NE 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 Jan 30 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Fallbrook 5 NE, CA?

The average last spring frost in Fallbrook 5 NE is around Feb 2, 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 Fallbrook 5 NE, CA?

The average first fall frost in Fallbrook 5 NE arrives around Jan 30. 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 Fallbrook 5 NE?

About 362 frost-free days on average, from Feb 2 to Jan 30. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Fallbrook 5 NE in?

USDA zone 9a 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.