When is the last frost in Alameda, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Alameda is around January 7, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Oakland Metro Intl Ap, CA station (4.8 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Alameda?

The average first fall frost in Alameda, CA is around December 23, giving roughly a 356-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Alameda, CA?

Alameda is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 30 to 35°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Alameda?

In Alameda, CA the warmest month is September (avg high 74.6°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 45.1°F). It averages about 22.6″ of precipitation a year.

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Alameda, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 10a · ZIP 94501 · elevation 9′ · NOAA & USDA data

Alameda is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (winters can dip to 30 to 35°F), with a growing season of about 356 days between the average last spring frost (January 7) and first fall frost (December 23). The warmest month is September (avg high 74.6°F); the coldest is January (avg low 45.1°F). It averages 22.6″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

10a

min temp 30 to 35°F

Last spring frost

January 7

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 23

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

356 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

September

avg high 74.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Alameda

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Oakland Museum, CA (1.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	59.8	45.1	52.5	4.4
February	62.4	47.1	54.7	4.4
March	64.7	48.7	56.7	3.2
April	66.8	50.3	58.5	1.4
May	68.6	52.9	60.8	0.8
June	71.8	55	63.4	0.2
July	71.6	56.6	64.1	0
August	72.8	57.6	65.2	0.1
September	74.6	57.2	65.9	0.1
October	72.7	54.6	63.7	1.1
November	65.8	49.4	57.6	2.4
December	59.7	45.1	52.4	4.7

What to plant when in Alameda

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: November 26 · Transplant out: January 14
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: November 12 · Transplant out: January 21
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: January 14
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: January 14
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: January 14
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: January 14
Basil	warm	Transplant out: January 14
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 3 · Sow (fall): October 28
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): November 26 · Sow (fall): October 28
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): December 10 · Sow (fall): October 28
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): December 17 · Sow (fall): October 14
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): December 24
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): December 17 · Sow (fall): October 14
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): December 10
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: December 24
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): December 10 · Sow (fall): November 11

Dates are computed from Alameda's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in California

Oakland, CA Berkeley, CA San Francisco, CA San Leandro, CA Richmond, CA South San Francisco, CA Daly City, CA San Bruno, CA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Oakland Metro Intl Ap, CA, 4.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Oakland Museum, CA, 1.8 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.