Taft, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jan 24
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 17
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
327 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 25 Jan 24 Mar 12
First fall frost Jan 15 Dec 17 Dec 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 3 · first Dec 27

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the TAFT 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 Taft

Computed from Taft'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 29 – Dec 13 Jan 31 – Feb 7
🫑 Peppers Nov 15 – Nov 29 Feb 7 – Feb 14
🥬 Lettuce Dec 13 – Dec 27 Dec 27 – Jan 10 Dec 27 – Jan 24
🫛 Peas Dec 13 – Dec 27
🥕 Carrots Jan 3 – Jan 24
🥦 Broccoli Dec 6 – Dec 20 Jan 3 – Jan 17
🥬 Kale Dec 13 – Dec 27 Dec 27 – Jan 10 Dec 27 – Jan 10
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 27 – Jan 3 Jan 31 – Feb 7 Jan 31 – Feb 7
🥒 Zucchini Dec 27 – Jan 3 Jan 31 – Feb 7 Jan 31 – Feb 7
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 31 – Feb 7
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 31 – Feb 7
🌿 Basil Dec 13 – Dec 27 Jan 31 – Feb 7 Feb 7 – Feb 14
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 5 – Dec 3

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 Taft's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Taft

With roughly 327 frost-free days, Taft 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 17 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Taft, CA?

The average last spring frost in Taft is around Jan 24, 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 Taft, CA?

The average first fall frost in Taft arrives around Dec 17. 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 Taft?

About 327 frost-free days on average, from Jan 24 to Dec 17. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Taft 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.