Los Banos, CA planting zone & frost dates
Los Banos is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around January 26 and the first fall frost around December 10, for a growing season of about 322 days.
Planting calendar for Los Banos
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 26) 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 1 – Dec 15 Transplant outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 17 – Dec 1 Transplant outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 17 – Dec 1 Transplant outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 17 – Dec 1 Transplant outdoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 17 – Dec 1 Transplant outdoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 9 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 9 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 Transplant outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 9 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 15 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 10).
Useful for zone 9a 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 29 | Jan 26 | Feb 20 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 4 | Dec 10 | Nov 26 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 20, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 26. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 6.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Los Banos
- 93635 zone 9a
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Los Banos, CA?
Los Banos is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Los Banos?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Los Banos is January 26. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 20.
When can I plant tomatoes in Los Banos?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 2 – Feb 9. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Los Banos, CA (USC00045118), 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 37 m, based on 29 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.