Santa Maria, CA planting zone & frost dates
Santa Maria is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around February 4 and the first fall frost around December 13, for a growing season of about 315 days.
Planting calendar for Santa Maria
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 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: Dec 10 – Dec 24 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 26 – Dec 10 Transplant outdoors: Feb 18 – Feb 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 26 – Dec 10 Transplant outdoors: Feb 18 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 26 – Dec 10 Transplant outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 26 – Dec 10 Transplant outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 24 – Jan 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 24 – Jan 7 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 24 – Jan 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 18 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 13).
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
As an Amazon Associate, FrostZoneMap earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 29 | Feb 4 | Mar 16 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 10 | Dec 13 | Nov 21 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 16, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 21. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 5.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Santa Maria
- 93454 zone 9b
- 93455 zone 9b
- 93456 zone 9b
- 93457 zone 9b
- 93458 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- Orcutt zone 9b, last frost Feb 4
- Nipomo zone 9b, last frost Feb 4
- Arroyo Grande zone 10a
- Grover Beach zone 10a
- Lompoc zone 10a, last frost Jan 20
- San Luis Obispo zone 10a, last frost Jan 16
- Los Osos zone 10a
- Morro Bay zone 10a
Questions
What growing zone is Santa Maria, CA?
Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Santa Maria is February 4. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 16.
When can I plant tomatoes in Santa Maria?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 11 – Feb 18. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Santa Maria Public Ap, CA (USW00023273), 6.1 km (3.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 74 m, based on 24 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.