When to plant in Orinda, CA
USDA Zone 9bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Orinda, California — all computed from Orinda's nearest NOAA weather station.
Orinda's growing season is short at roughly -2 days, so succession planting is limited; lean on transplants over direct sowing for anything slow to mature. In zone 9b, frost is a minor factor for Orinda — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
BERKELEY · 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 Orinda’s own odds, recorded at BERKELEY.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 20 | Feb 5 | Dec 29 | Nov 27 | Dec 19 | Jan 26 |
| 32°F | Feb 14 | Jan 3 | Dec 14 | Dec 10 | Jan 1 | Jan 29 |
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 Orinda, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 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.
Orinda planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Orinda, CA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Orinda around January 3 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Orinda, CA?
Expect Orinda's first fall frost near January 1 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Orinda in?
Orinda is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Orinda?
Orinda has about -2 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 3) and first fall frost (January 1).
When should I plant tomatoes in Orinda?
For Orinda, sow tomatoes indoors about November 8–November 22 and move the seedlings out around January 10, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Orinda
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Orinda’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lafayette · 4 km
- Moraga · 6 km
- Piedmont · 8 km
- Pleasant Hill · 11 km
- Walnut Creek · 11 km
- Berkeley · 12 km
- El Cerrito · 12 km
- Emeryville · 13 km
Frost dates recorded at BERKELEY, 8 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 Orinda, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00040693. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/orinda.