When to plant in Novato, CA
USDA Zone 9bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Novato, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~344-day season lets Novato gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. In zone 9b, frost is a minor factor for Novato — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
The average last spring frost in Novato is now 9 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
SAN RAFAEL CIVIC CTR · 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 Novato’s own odds, recorded at SAN RAFAEL CIVIC CTR.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 6 | Feb 22 | Jan 6 | Nov 15 | Dec 5 | Jan 1 |
| 32°F | Feb 25 | Jan 11 | Dec 14 | Dec 2 | Dec 21 | Feb 9 |
| 28°F | Feb 21 | Dec 31 | Dec 11 | Dec 7 | Dec 29 | Feb 18 |
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 Novato, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 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.
Novato planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Novato, CA?
Novato's average last spring frost falls near January 11 — 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 Novato, CA?
Expect Novato's first fall frost near December 21 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Novato in?
Novato is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Novato?
Novato has about 344 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 11) and first fall frost (December 21).
When should I plant tomatoes in Novato?
For Novato, sow tomatoes indoors about November 16–November 30 and move the seedlings out around January 18, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Novato
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Novato’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- San Anselmo · 12 km
- San Rafael · 12 km
- Larkspur · 16 km
- Corte Madera · 17 km
- Petaluma · 19 km
- Mill Valley · 20 km
- Richmond · 22 km
- Pinole · 22 km
Frost dates recorded at SAN RAFAEL CIVIC CTR, 10 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 Novato, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00047880. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/novato.