When to plant in El Sobrante, CA
USDA Zone 10aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for El Sobrante, California — all computed from El Sobrante's nearest NOAA weather station.
A ~-2-day frost-free window makes El Sobrante a short-season garden: choose early varieties and start long-season crops indoors well ahead of the last frost. Zone 10a is warm enough that El Sobrante can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
RICHMOND · 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 El Sobrante’s own odds, recorded at RICHMOND.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 23 | Jan 17 | Dec 22 | Dec 2 | Dec 24 | Jan 21 |
| 32°F | Jan 26 | Jan 4 | Dec 14 | Dec 11 | Jan 2 | Jan 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 El Sobrante, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 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.
El Sobrante planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in El Sobrante, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in El Sobrante is around January 4 (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 El Sobrante, CA?
In El Sobrante, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around January 2 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is El Sobrante in?
El Sobrante is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in El Sobrante?
There are roughly -2 frost-free days in El Sobrante (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around January 4 to the first fall frost near January 2.
When should I plant tomatoes in El Sobrante?
In El Sobrante, start tomato seeds indoors around November 9–November 23, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 11 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in El Sobrante
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to El Sobrante’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Pinole · 3 km
- San Pablo · 4 km
- Hercules · 5 km
- Richmond · 6 km
- El Cerrito · 6 km
- Albany · 9 km
- Berkeley · 12 km
- Emeryville · 15 km
Frost dates recorded at RICHMOND, 9 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 El Sobrante, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00047414. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/el-sobrante.