Frost dates for ZIP 93426 (Oak Shores, CA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Hearst Castle, CA (15 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 40% of years (about 1 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostFeb 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostFeb 1 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)year-round in a typical yearmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 93426 (Oak Shores)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 93426, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.
This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 82°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Vallecitos (45 mi), Monocline Ridge (54 mi).
4-inch depth
75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 80°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Vallecitos (45 mi), Monocline Ridge (54 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 93426 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 75°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: California coastal and valleys. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Mar 31 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
- Tomato: fall transplant Oct 5–Nov 2
- Pepper (sweet and hot): fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 2
- Eggplant: fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 2
- Brussels sprouts: fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 2
- Potato: fall transplant Oct 12–26
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Kale: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 23
- Collards: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 23
- Broccoli: fall transplant Oct 26–Nov 23
- Cabbage: fall transplant Oct 26–Nov 23
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Oct 26–Nov 23
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Dec 29 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 13 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 31 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Dec 16 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Feb 1 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Mar 20 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 13 | Dec 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 13 | Feb 1 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | n/a | n/a |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 93426
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 13) and first fall frost (Feb 1). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Oct 5–Nov 2 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 5–19 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Oct 12–Nov 2 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 5–19 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Oct 12–Nov 2 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 23–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 16–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Dec 7–28 (transplant) Nov 23–Dec 21 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Dec 7–28 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–Dec 7 (transplant) Oct 26–Nov 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–Dec 7 (transplant) Oct 26–Nov 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 5–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Oct 26–Nov 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 5–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Oct 26–Nov 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 5–19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Oct 26–Nov 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Oct 12–Nov 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Nov 23–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Dec 7–21 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Dec 7–Jan 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 16–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Dec 7–21 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 2–16 | Jan 30–Feb 20 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 23–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 23–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 9–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Dec 21–Jan 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 16–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 23–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 19–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Nov 23–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Dec 21–Jan 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | Dec 21–Jan 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Oct 12–26 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 16–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 16–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 16–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 16–23 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 16–23 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 2–16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Feb 20–27 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 2–16 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Dec 7–21 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 5–19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Dec 7–21 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Nov 23–Dec 21 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Hearst Castle, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00043882), elevation 1,526 ft, 15.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paso Robles, CA | 22 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 10 |
| Paso Robles Muni AP, CA | 23 mi | Apr 4 | Nov 5 |
| King City, CA | 27 mi | Feb 23 | Nov 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 53 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 93426
When is the last frost in 93426?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 93426 is February 13. For a more cautious planting date, use March 31, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 93426?
The average first fall freeze is February 1 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 16.
What hardiness zone is 93426?
ZIP 93426 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 93426 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
93932 Lockwood 93452 San Simeon 93428 Cambria 93450 San Ardo 93446 El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) 93954 San Lucas 93451 San Miguel 93465 Templeton
Other ZIP codes in Monterey County
93450 93451 93901 93905 93906 93907 93908 93920 93921 93923 93924 93925 93926 93927 93928 93930 93932 93933 93940 93943 93944 93950 93953 93954 All Monterey County frost dates · California frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.