When to plant in Carpinteria, CA
USDA Zone 10bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Carpinteria, California — all computed from Carpinteria's nearest NOAA weather station.
With only about -7 frost-free days, Carpinteria has a short season — start heat-lovers indoors early, favor quick-maturing varieties, and use row cover to stretch both ends. Carpinteria's nearest full-normals station sits about 17 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. In zone 10b, frost is a minor factor for Carpinteria — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
SANTA BARBARA · 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 Carpinteria’s own odds, recorded at SANTA BARBARA.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 21 | Jan 11 | Dec 12 | Dec 5 | Dec 30 | Feb 10 |
| 32°F | Feb 24 | Jan 13 | Dec 12 | Dec 12 | Jan 6 | Feb 22 |
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 Carpinteria, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 26 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.
Carpinteria planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Carpinteria, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Carpinteria is around January 13 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Carpinteria, CA?
The first fall frost in Carpinteria typically arrives around January 6 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Carpinteria in?
Carpinteria is in USDA hardiness zone 10b. In zone 10b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Carpinteria?
Carpinteria has about -7 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 13) and first fall frost (January 6).
When should I plant tomatoes in Carpinteria?
For Carpinteria, sow tomatoes indoors about November 18–December 2 and move the seedlings out around January 20, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Carpinteria
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Carpinteria’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Santa Barbara · 20 km
- San Buenaventura (Ventura) · 26 km
- Eastern Goleta Valley · 27 km
- University of California-Santa Barbara · 32 km
- Isla Vista · 33 km
- Goleta · 33 km
- Oxnard · 34 km
- Port Hueneme · 37 km
Frost dates recorded at SANTA BARBARA, 17 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 Carpinteria, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00047902. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/carpinteria.