Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 95019 (Watsonville, 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, Watsonville Muni AP, CA (0 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJan 3150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)317 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
69°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Merced 23 WSW (54 mi).
4-inch depth
68°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 68°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Merced 23 WSW (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 95019 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 68°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 18 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
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 30–Oct 28
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 14–Nov 4
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 14–Nov 4
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 14–Nov 11
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 30–Oct 28
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 11
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 25
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 25
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 9: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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 28 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 31 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 9 |
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) | Nov 20 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 9 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 12 (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 17 | Nov 22 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 31 | Dec 9 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 3 | Dec 25 |
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 95019
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 9). 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 6–20 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 6–20 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 6–20 | Jan 10–31 (transplant) Jan 3–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 4 (transplant) Sep 30–Oct 28 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 20–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–Oct 14 (transplant) Sep 2–30 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–31 (transplant) Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–Oct 14 (transplant) Sep 2–30 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 8–22 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 17–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 10–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 27–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 28–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 8–22 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 8–22 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 28–Nov 25 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Oct 28–Nov 25 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 21–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 3–10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 3–10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 3–10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 3–10 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 3–10 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 8–22 | Feb 7–14 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 30–Oct 28 (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: Watsonville Muni AP, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00023277), elevation 160 ft, 0.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA | 1 mi | Jan 28 | Dec 13 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 12 mi | Jan 29 | Dec 13 |
| Gilroy, CA | 13 mi | Feb 24 | Nov 27 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 27 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 95019
When is the last frost in 95019?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 95019 is January 31. For a more cautious planting date, use March 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 95019?
The average first fall freeze is December 9. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 20.
What hardiness zone is 95019?
ZIP 95019 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 95019 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
95076 Interlaken 95003 Day Valley 95039 Moss Landing 95004 Prunedale 95010 Capitola 95012 Elkhorn 95073 Soquel 95062 Santa Cruz
Other ZIP codes in Santa Cruz County
95003 95005 95006 95007 95010 95017 95018 95033 95041 95060 95062 95064 95065 95066 95073 95076 All Santa Cruz County frost dates · California frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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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.