When to plant in Oakland, CA
USDA Zone 10aOakland, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Oakland enjoys a long ~350-day frost-free season — you can succession-sow, fit in a second crop, and grow long-season heat-lovers with room to spare. In zone 10a, frost is a minor factor for Oakland — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
OAKLAND METRO INTL AP · 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 Oakland’s own odds, recorded at OAKLAND METRO INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 7 | Feb 8 | Jan 3 | Nov 15 | Dec 4 | Jan 5 |
| 32°F | Feb 8 | Jan 7 | Dec 13 | Nov 30 | Dec 23 | Jan 24 |
| 28°F | Jan 15 | Dec 30 | Dec 9 | Dec 6 | Dec 28 | Jan 12 |
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 Oakland, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 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.
Oakland planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Oakland, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Oakland is around January 7 (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 Oakland, CA?
In Oakland, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 23 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Oakland in?
Oakland is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Oakland?
Oakland has about 350 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 7) and first fall frost (December 23).
When should I plant tomatoes in Oakland?
For Oakland, sow tomatoes indoors about November 12–November 26 and move the seedlings out around January 14, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Oakland
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Oakland’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Alameda · 4 km
- Piedmont · 6 km
- San Leandro · 9 km
- Emeryville · 10 km
- Moraga · 12 km
- Berkeley · 12 km
- Ashland · 13 km
- San Lorenzo · 13 km
Frost dates recorded at OAKLAND METRO INTL AP, 5 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 Oakland, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00023230. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/oakland.