Monterey Wfo, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jan 3
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
359 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 12 Jan 3 Jan 24
First fall frost Jan 17 Dec 28 Dec 5

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MONTEREY WFO 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 Monterey Wfo

Computed from Monterey Wfo'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 Nov 8 – Nov 22 Jan 10 – Jan 17
🫑 Peppers Oct 25 – Nov 8 Jan 17 – Jan 24
🥬 Lettuce Nov 22 – Dec 6 Dec 6 – Dec 20 Dec 6 – Jan 3
🫛 Peas Nov 22 – Dec 6
🥕 Carrots Dec 13 – Jan 3
🥦 Broccoli Nov 15 – Nov 29 Dec 13 – Dec 27
🥬 Kale Nov 22 – Dec 6 Dec 6 – Dec 20 Dec 6 – Dec 20
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 6 – Dec 13 Jan 10 – Jan 17 Jan 10 – Jan 17
🥒 Zucchini Dec 6 – Dec 13 Jan 10 – Jan 17 Jan 10 – Jan 17
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 10 – Jan 17
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 10 – Jan 17
🌿 Basil Nov 22 – Dec 6 Jan 10 – Jan 17 Jan 17 – Jan 24
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 16 – Dec 14

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 Monterey Wfo's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Monterey Wfo

With roughly 359 frost-free days, Monterey Wfo 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 28 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Monterey Wfo, CA?

The average last spring frost in Monterey Wfo is around Jan 3, 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 Monterey Wfo, CA?

The average first fall frost in Monterey Wfo arrives around Dec 28. 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 Monterey Wfo?

About 359 frost-free days on average, from Jan 3 to Dec 28. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Monterey Wfo 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.