Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CA planting zone & frost dates
Tamalpais-Homestead Valley is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. The last spring frost usually comes around January 16 and the first fall frost around December 18, for a growing season of about 334 days.
Planting calendar for Tamalpais-Homestead Valley
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 16) 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 21 – Dec 5 Transplant outdoors: Jan 23 – Jan 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 7 – Nov 21 Transplant outdoors: Jan 30 – Feb 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 7 – Nov 21 Transplant outdoors: Jan 30 – Feb 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 7 – Nov 21 Transplant outdoors: Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 7 – Nov 21 Transplant outdoors: Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 5 – Dec 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 5 – Dec 19 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Jan 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Jan 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Jan 30 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Jan 30 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 5 – Dec 19 Transplant outdoors: Jan 23 – Jan 30 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 23 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 18).
Useful for zone 10a 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 21 | Jan 16 | Feb 25 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 19 | Dec 18 | Nov 30 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 25, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 30. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around December 30.
Nearby cities
- Mill Valley zone 10a, last frost Jan 16
- Larkspur zone 10a, last frost Jan 16
- San Rafael zone 10a, last frost Jan 16
- San Anselmo zone 9b, last frost Jan 16
- San Francisco zone 10b
- Daly City zone 10b
- Richmond zone 10a
- San Pablo zone 10a
Questions
What growing zone is Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CA?
Tamalpais-Homestead Valley is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 10a (average extreme winter low 30°F to 35°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Tamalpais-Homestead Valley?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Tamalpais-Homestead Valley is January 16. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 25.
When can I plant tomatoes in Tamalpais-Homestead Valley?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jan 23 – Jan 30. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Kentfield, CA (USC00044500), 8.7 km (5.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 44 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.