Last frost date in Palo Alto, California
February 1
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by December 28; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after March 4.
December 7
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by November 20.
A 32°F night happens here about 10 years in 10; in those years these are the usual dates.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Palo Alto (USC00046646), 3.3 miles from Palo Alto, elevation 25 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
This station is also the nearest one for East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, so their frost dates are the same as Palo Alto's.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Dec 28 | Feb 1 | Mar 4 |
| First frost in fall | Nov 20 | Dec 7 | Jan 6 |
Frost-free days in an average year: 310
| Chance in a year | Average last in spring | Average first in fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Every year | Mar 11 | Nov 21 |
| Frost (32°F) | 10 years in 10 | Feb 1 | Dec 7 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | 6 years in 10 | Jan 4 | Dec 22 |
Nights at 32°F or colder in an average year: 14
What to plant now in Palo Alto
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Dec 1Now
- Broccoli plantsAug 1 – Nov 1Now
- Brussels sprouts plantsAug 1 – Nov 1Now
- BeetsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Cabbage plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Celery and celeriac plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Chinese cabbageSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- Collards plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- EndiveSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Florence fennelSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- KaleSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- LeeksSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- Mustard greensSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- Onion seedSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- ParsnipsSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- SorrelSept 1 – Dec 15Now
- CarrotsSept 15 – Dec 1Now
- GarlicSept 15 – Nov 15Now
- Head lettuce plantsSept 15 – Dec 31Now
- KohlrabiSept 15 – Dec 31Now
- Leaf lettuceSept 15 – Dec 31Now
- ParsleySept 15 – Dec 31Now
- ShallotsSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Corn saladOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- DandelionOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Garden peasOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Onion plants plantsOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- RutabagaOct 1 – Nov 15Now
- SpinachOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- TurnipsOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Upland cressOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Chervil and chivesNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
- Onion setsNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
- Spring planting calendar for an average last frost around January 30 Palo Alto: February 1
- Fall planting calendar for an average first frost around December 10 Palo Alto: December 7
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5. How we match the table.
Nearby in California
- Sunnyvale 6 mi · last frost Jan 6
- Redwood City 9 mi · last frost Jan 17
- Santa Clara 10 mi · last frost Jan 12
- Fremont 13 mi · last frost Jan 1
- Campbell 13 mi · last frost Feb 2
Updated