Zone 10a Frost Dates and Planting Schedule

In USDA zone 10a, the typical last frost is January 27 and the typical first frost is December 24: the medians across its 1,008 ZIP codes, from NOAA 1991–2020 normals at the station nearest each one.

By HarvestMath Editors October 1, 2026 Share:

Typical first fall frost

Dec 24

range Nov 28 to Jan 12

Typical last spring frost

Jan 27

range Jan 7 to Mar 1

Median and 10th to 90th percentile across 1,008 ZIP codes in zone 10a, from each ZIP code's nearest NOAA station (1991–2020 normals). The spread is 53 days in spring.

A hardiness zone is a winter-cold rating: the average coldest night of the year. It doesn't predict when frost ends in spring. Two ZIP codes in zone 10a can be weeks apart on their last frost, so the dates here are a typical range, not your date.

Your exact frost dates

Find your dates by

US ZIP code

Enter a ZIP code or pick your hardiness zone to see your frost dates.

Zone 10a Planting Schedule

Typical for zone 10a, counted from the zone's typical Jan 27 last frost and Dec 24 first frost with the Season Planner's crop timing. Enter your ZIP code for your exact dates.

Typical for zone 10a

Dec 2–Dec 16 Start tomatoes indoors

Tomato seed needs 6 to 8 weeks under lights before it goes out.
Dec 16–Dec 30 Sow peas outdoors

Peas take cold soil and light frost in stride.
Dec 30–Jan 13 Sow leaf lettuce outdoors

Sow again every 2 to 3 weeks for a steady supply.
Feb 3–Feb 10 Transplant tomatoes and peppers

Once nights stay above 50°F.
Feb 3–Feb 10 Sow bush beans

Beans rot in cold soil: wait for 60°F at 4 inches deep.
Oct 1–Oct 15 Sow a fall crop

Kale, carrots, spinach or lettuce, 10 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost.
Dec 31–Jan 7 Plant garlic

Cloves go in 1 to 2 weeks after the first killing frost, for next summer.

Zone 10a Cities and Their Frost Dates

Same zone, different dates: each city's own station.

Phoenix, AZ:last frost Jan 5, first Jan 3
Tampa, FL:last frost Jan 20, first Jan 12
Mesa, AZ:last frost Jan 5, first Jan 3
Orlando, FL:last frost Jan 29, first Jan 16
Riverside, CA:last frost Jan 9, first Dec 30
Santa Cruz, CA:last frost Jan 29, first Dec 13
Conroe, TX:last frost Mar 11, first Nov 19
Oakland, CA:last frost Jan 7, first Dec 23

Zone 10a Frost FAQ

When is the last frost in zone 10a?

Typically around January 27, but it ranges from January 7 to March 1 across the zone's ZIP codes (10th to 90th percentile). Enter your ZIP code for your own station's date.

When is the first frost in zone 10a?

Typically around December 24, ranging November 28 to January 12 across zone 10a.

When do you plant tomatoes in zone 10a?

Typically Feb 3 to Feb 10, a week or two after the zone's typical last frost. Your own last frost can be weeks either side of that.

Neighboring Zones

Zone 10a covers ZIP codes in Arizona, California, Florida, Texas.

A garden in a zone 10a climate — An illustration of a zone 10a garden.

Free book · 23 pages, PDF

The Spacing & Planting Cheat Sheet

When to start, when to plant, how far apart.