When is the last frost in Carlsbad, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Carlsbad is around January 23, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Oceanside Muni Ap, CA station (8.4 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 Carlsbad?

The average first fall frost in Carlsbad, CA is around December 11, giving roughly a 325-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Carlsbad, CA?

Carlsbad is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 35 to 40°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Carlsbad?

In Carlsbad, CA the warmest month is August (avg high 75.8°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 47.3°F). It averages about 11.4″ of precipitation a year.

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Carlsbad, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 10b · ZIP 92011 · elevation 100′ · NOAA & USDA data

Carlsbad is in USDA hardiness zone 10b (winters can dip to 35 to 40°F), with a growing season of about 325 days between the average last spring frost (January 23) and first fall frost (December 11). The warmest month is August (avg high 75.8°F); the coldest is December (avg low 47.3°F). It averages 11.4″ 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

10b

min temp 35 to 40°F

Last spring frost

January 23

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 11

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

325 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 75.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Carlsbad

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

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	65	47.8	56.4	2.5	–
February	64	48.5	56.3	2.6	–
March	64.5	50.8	57.6	1.6	–
April	66.3	53.3	59.8	0.9	–
May	67.6	57.4	62.5	0.3	–
June	69.9	60.3	65.1	0.1	–
July	74.2	64.1	69.2	0.1	–
August	75.8	65.3	70.5	0	–
September	75.7	63.6	69.6	0.1	–
October	73.3	58.9	66.1	0.5	–
November	69.5	52.1	60.8	1	–
December	64.6	47.3	56	1.7	–

What to plant when in Carlsbad

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 12 · Transplant out: January 30
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: November 28 · Transplant out: February 6
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: January 30
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: January 30
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: January 30
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: January 30
Basil	warm	Transplant out: January 30
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 19 · Sow (fall): October 16
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): December 12 · Sow (fall): October 16
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): December 26 · Sow (fall): October 16
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 2 · Sow (fall): October 2
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 9
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 2 · Sow (fall): October 2
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): December 26
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 9
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): December 26 · Sow (fall): October 30

Dates are computed from Carlsbad'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

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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 — Oceanside Muni Ap, CA, 8.4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Carlsbad Palomar Ap, 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.