San Rafael Civic Ctr, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every San Rafael Civic Ctr garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jan 11
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 21
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
344 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 14 Jan 11 Feb 25
First fall frost Feb 9 Dec 21 Dec 2
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Dec 31 · first Dec 29

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SAN RAFAEL CIVIC CTR 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 San Rafael Civic Ctr

Computed from San Rafael Civic Ctr'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 16 – Nov 30 Jan 18 – Jan 25
🫑 Peppers Nov 2 – Nov 16 Jan 25 – Feb 1
🥬 Lettuce Nov 30 – Dec 14 Dec 14 – Dec 28 Dec 14 – Jan 11
🫛 Peas Nov 30 – Dec 14
🥕 Carrots Dec 21 – Jan 11
🥦 Broccoli Nov 23 – Dec 7 Dec 21 – Jan 4
🥬 Kale Nov 30 – Dec 14 Dec 14 – Dec 28 Dec 14 – Dec 28
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 14 – Dec 21 Jan 18 – Jan 25 Jan 18 – Jan 25
🥒 Zucchini Dec 14 – Dec 21 Jan 18 – Jan 25 Jan 18 – Jan 25
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 18 – Jan 25
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 18 – Jan 25
🌿 Basil Nov 30 – Dec 14 Jan 18 – Jan 25 Jan 25 – Feb 1
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 9 – Dec 7

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 San Rafael Civic Ctr's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in San Rafael Civic Ctr

With roughly 344 frost-free days, San Rafael Civic Ctr 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 21 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in San Rafael Civic Ctr, CA?

The average last spring frost in San Rafael Civic Ctr is around Jan 11, 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 San Rafael Civic Ctr, CA?

The average first fall frost in San Rafael Civic Ctr arrives around Dec 21. 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 San Rafael Civic Ctr?

About 344 frost-free days on average, from Jan 11 to Dec 21. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is San Rafael Civic Ctr 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.