Santa Cruz, CA planting zone & frost dates
Santa Cruz is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. The last spring frost usually comes around January 29 and the first fall frost around December 13, for a growing season of about 323 days.
Planting calendar for Santa Cruz
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 29) 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 4 – Dec 18 Transplant outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 20 – Dec 4 Transplant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 20 – Dec 4 Transplant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 20 – Dec 4 Transplant outdoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 20 – Dec 4 Transplant outdoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 18 – Jan 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 18 – Jan 1 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 12 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 12 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 18 – Jan 1 Transplant outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 12 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 18 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 13).
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 25 | Jan 29 | Feb 28 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 22 | Dec 13 | Nov 23 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 28, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 23. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 3.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Santa Cruz
- 95060 zone 9b
- 95061 zone 10a
- 95062 zone 10a
- 95063 zone 10a
- 95064 zone 9b
- 95065 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- Live Oak zone 10a, last frost Jan 29
- Capitola zone 9b, last frost Jan 29
- Scotts Valley zone 9b, last frost Mar 25
- Los Gatos zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
- Watsonville zone 9b, last frost Jan 28
- Saratoga zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
- Campbell zone 9b, last frost Feb 2
- Cupertino zone 9b, last frost Jan 6
Questions
What growing zone is Santa Cruz, CA?
Santa Cruz is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10a (average extreme winter low 30°F to 35°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 9b.
When is the last frost in Santa Cruz?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Santa Cruz is January 29. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 28.
When can I plant tomatoes in Santa Cruz?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 5 – Feb 12. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Santa Cruz, CA (USC00047916), 3.2 km (2.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 21 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.