When is the last frost in Salinas, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Salinas is around January 29, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Salinas Municipal Ap, CA station (1.5 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 Salinas?

The average first fall frost in Salinas, CA is around December 10, giving roughly a 325-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Salinas, CA?

Salinas is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 25 to 30°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Salinas?

In Salinas, CA the warmest month is September (avg high 74.7°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 40.2°F). It averages about 15.4″ of precipitation a year.

Home › California › Salinas

Salinas, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9b · ZIP 93905 · elevation 14′ · NOAA & USDA data

Salinas is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (winters can dip to 25 to 30°F), with a growing season of about 325 days between the average last spring frost (January 29) and first fall frost (December 10). The warmest month is September (avg high 74.7°F); the coldest is December (avg low 40.2°F). It averages 15.4″ 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

min temp 25 to 30°F

Last spring frost

January 29

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 10

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

325 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

September

avg high 74.7°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Salinas

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Salinas #2, CA (3.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	63.4	41.2	52.3	3.3
February	64.1	42.2	53.2	3
March	66.2	43.7	54.9	2.5
April	67.3	45	56.2	1.1
May	68.3	48.6	58.4	0.5
June	70.2	51.2	60.7	0.1
July	70.9	53.9	62.4	0
August	72.5	54.2	63.4	0
September	74.7	52.5	63.6	0.1
October	74.2	48.8	61.5	0.6
November	68.1	43.4	55.8	1.6
December	62.4	40.2	51.3	2.8

What to plant when in Salinas

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 18 · Transplant out: February 5
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 4 · Transplant out: February 12
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 5
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 5
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 5
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 5
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 5
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 25 · Sow (fall): October 15
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): December 18 · Sow (fall): October 15
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): January 1 · Sow (fall): October 15
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 8 · Sow (fall): October 1
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 15
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 8 · Sow (fall): October 1
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): January 1
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 15
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): January 1 · Sow (fall): October 29

Dates are computed from Salinas'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.

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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 — Salinas Municipal Ap, CA, 1.5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Salinas #2, CA, 3.8 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.