Livingston, CA planting zone & frost dates
Livingston is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around January 6 and the first fall frost around December 20, for a growing season of about 351 days.
Planting calendar for Livingston
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 6) 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: Nov 11 – Nov 25 Transplant outdoors: Jan 13 – Jan 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Oct 28 – Nov 11 Transplant outdoors: Jan 20 – Jan 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Oct 28 – Nov 11 Transplant outdoors: Jan 20 – Jan 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Oct 28 – Nov 11 Transplant outdoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Oct 28 – Nov 11 Transplant outdoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Nov 25 – Dec 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Nov 25 – Dec 9 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jan 13 – Jan 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jan 13 – Jan 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jan 13 – Jan 20 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jan 13 – Jan 20 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Nov 25 – Dec 9 Transplant outdoors: Jan 13 – Jan 20 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 25 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 20).
Useful for zone 9a 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 14 | Jan 6 | Jan 31 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 16 | Dec 20 | Dec 3 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after January 31, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 3. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around December 30.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Livingston
- 95334 zone 9a
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Livingston, CA?
Livingston is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Livingston?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Livingston is January 6. There is still a 10% chance of frost until January 31.
When can I plant tomatoes in Livingston?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jan 13 – Jan 20. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Turlock #2, CA (USC00049073), 16.7 km (10.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 31 m, based on 27 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.