Watsonville, CA planting zone & frost dates
Watsonville is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 28 and the first fall frost around December 13, for a growing season of about 324 days.
Planting calendar for Watsonville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 28) 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 3 – Dec 17 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
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 9b 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 23 | Jan 28 | Mar 3 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 15 | Dec 13 | Nov 25 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 3, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 25. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Watsonville
- 95076 zone 9b
- 95077 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- Prunedale zone 9b, last frost Feb 4
- Capitola zone 9b, last frost Jan 29
- Gilroy zone 9b, last frost Feb 24
- Marina zone 10a
- Live Oak zone 10a, last frost Jan 29
- Morgan Hill zone 9b, last frost Feb 24
- Salinas zone 9b, last frost Feb 4
- Santa Cruz zone 10a, last frost Jan 29
Questions
What growing zone is Watsonville, CA?
Watsonville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Watsonville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Watsonville is January 28. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 3.
When can I plant tomatoes in Watsonville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 4 – Feb 11. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA (USC00049473), 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 29 m, based on 25 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.