East Palo Alto, CA planting zone & frost dates
East Palo Alto is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. The last spring frost usually comes around February 1 and the first fall frost around December 7, for a growing season of about 310 days.
Planting calendar for East Palo Alto
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 1) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Dec 7 – Dec 21 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 12 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 7).
Useful for zone 10a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 28 | Feb 1 | Mar 4 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 6 | Dec 7 | Nov 20 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 4, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 20. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 4.
Nearby cities
- Palo Alto zone 9b, last frost Feb 1
- Menlo Park zone 9b, last frost Feb 1
- Stanford zone 9b, last frost Feb 1
- Los Altos zone 9b, last frost Jan 6
- Redwood City zone 10a, last frost Jan 17
- Mountain View zone 10a, last frost Jan 6
- Newark zone 10a
- San Carlos zone 10a, last frost Jan 17
Questions
What growing zone is East Palo Alto, CA?
East Palo Alto is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10a (average extreme winter low 30°F to 35°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in East Palo Alto?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in East Palo Alto is February 1. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 4.
When can I plant tomatoes in East Palo Alto?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 8 – Feb 15. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Palo Alto, CA (USC00046646), 2.8 km (1.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 8 m, based on 18 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.