San Diego Country Estates, CA planting zone & frost dates
San Diego Country Estates is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 4 and the first fall frost around December 4, for a growing season of about 270 days.
Planting calendar for San Diego Country Estates
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 4) 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: Jan 7 – Jan 21 Transplant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 24 – Jan 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 24 – Jan 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 24 – Jan 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 24 – Jan 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 18 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 18 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 Transplant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 18 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 9 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 4).
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 | Jan 29 | Mar 4 | Apr 10 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 18 | Dec 4 | Nov 17 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 10, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 17. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 31.
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is San Diego Country Estates, CA?
San Diego Country Estates 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 San Diego Country Estates?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in San Diego Country Estates is March 4. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in San Diego Country Estates?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 11 – Mar 18. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Ramona Fire Dept, CA (USC00047228), 11.6 km (7.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 448 m, based on 12 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.