When to plant in Benicia, CA
USDA Zone 9bBenicia, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
With about 344 frost-free days, Benicia supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. In zone 9b, frost is a minor factor for Benicia — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
VALLEJO · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Benicia’s own odds, recorded at VALLEJO.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 8 | Mar 4 | Jan 19 | Nov 21 | Dec 7 | Jan 2 |
| 32°F | Mar 4 | Jan 17 | Dec 23 | Dec 4 | Dec 27 | Feb 4 |
| 28°F | Jan 19 | Jan 5 | Dec 19 | Dec 13 | Jan 2 | Jan 19 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Benicia, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 12 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Benicia planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Benicia, CA?
Benicia's average last spring frost falls near January 17 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Benicia, CA?
Expect Benicia's first fall frost near December 27 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Benicia in?
Benicia is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Benicia?
Benicia has about 344 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 17) and first fall frost (December 27).
When should I plant tomatoes in Benicia?
For Benicia, sow tomatoes indoors about November 22–December 6 and move the seedlings out around January 24, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Benicia
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Benicia’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Martinez · 9 km
- Vallejo · 10 km
- Hercules · 13 km
- Pleasant Hill · 15 km
- American Canyon · 15 km
- Pinole · 16 km
- El Sobrante · 17 km
- Bay Point · 17 km
Frost dates recorded at VALLEJO, 4 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Benicia, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00049219. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/benicia.