Zone 11a Frost Dates and Planting Schedule

Zone 11a is frost-free in 91% of its ZIP codes, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals at the weather station nearest each one.

By HarvestMath Editors October 1, 2026 Share:

Zone 11a is frost-free in 91% of its ZIP codes

Across the 182 ZIP codes the Hardiness Zone Finder puts in zone 11a, most sit nearest a NOAA station with too few freezing nights for a median frost date. Plant by season instead: cool-season crops from fall through winter, counted from an October 1 season start.

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 11a can be weeks apart on their last frost, so the dates here are a typical range, not your date.

Your exact frost dates

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US ZIP code

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

Zone 11a Planting Schedule

Typical for zone 11a, counted from an October 1 season start with the Season Planner's crop timing. Enter your ZIP code for your exact dates.

Typical for zone 11a

Aug 6–Aug 20 Start tomatoes indoors

Tomato seed needs 6 to 8 weeks under lights before it goes out.
Aug 20–Sep 3 Sow peas outdoors

Peas take cold soil and light frost in stride.
Sep 3–Sep 17 Sow leaf lettuce outdoors

Sow again every 2 to 3 weeks for a steady supply.
Oct 8–Oct 15 Transplant tomatoes and peppers

Once nights stay above 50°F.
Oct 8–Oct 15 Sow bush beans

Beans rot in cold soil: wait for 60°F at 4 inches deep.

Zone 11a Cities and Their Frost Dates

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

Miami, FL:frost-free most years
Boca Raton, FL:frost-free most years

Neighboring Zones

Zone 11a covers ZIP codes in California, Florida.

A garden in a zone 11a climate — An illustration of a zone 11a garden.

Free book · 23 pages, PDF

The Spacing & Planting Cheat Sheet

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