Ft Ross, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 26
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
304 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 27 Feb 26 May 1
First fall frost Feb 27 Dec 27 Dec 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 29 · first Jan 16

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FT ROSS 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 Ft Ross

Computed from Ft Ross'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 Jan 1 – Jan 15 Mar 5 – Mar 12
🫑 Peppers Dec 18 – Jan 1 Mar 12 – Mar 19
🥬 Lettuce Jan 15 – Jan 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12 Jan 29 – Feb 26
🫛 Peas Jan 15 – Jan 29
🥕 Carrots Feb 5 – Feb 26
🥦 Broccoli Jan 8 – Jan 22 Feb 5 – Feb 19
🥬 Kale Jan 15 – Jan 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12 Jan 29 – Feb 12
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 29 – Feb 5 Mar 5 – Mar 12 Mar 5 – Mar 12
🥒 Zucchini Jan 29 – Feb 5 Mar 5 – Mar 12 Mar 5 – Mar 12
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 5 – Mar 12
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 5 – Mar 12
🌿 Basil Jan 15 – Jan 29 Mar 5 – Mar 12 Mar 12 – Mar 19
🧄 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 Ft Ross's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Ft Ross

With roughly 304 frost-free days, Ft Ross 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 Ft Ross, CA?

The average last spring frost in Ft Ross is around Feb 26, 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 Ft Ross, CA?

The average first fall frost in Ft Ross 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 Ft Ross?

About 304 frost-free days on average, from Feb 26 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 Ft Ross 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.