When to plant in Richmond, CA
USDA Zone 10aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Richmond, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Richmond'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 10a, frost is a minor factor for Richmond — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
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 Richmond’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 Richmond, 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.
Richmond planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Richmond, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Richmond 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 Richmond, CA?
Expect Richmond's first fall frost near January 2 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Richmond in?
Richmond is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Richmond?
Richmond has about -2 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 4) and first fall frost (January 2).
When should I plant tomatoes in Richmond?
For Richmond, sow tomatoes indoors about November 9–November 23 and move the seedlings out around January 11, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Richmond
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Richmond’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- San Pablo · 2 km
- El Sobrante · 6 km
- El Cerrito · 6 km
- Pinole · 7 km
- Albany · 8 km
- Hercules · 10 km
- Berkeley · 11 km
- Corte Madera · 13 km
Frost dates recorded at RICHMOND, 4 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 Richmond, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00047414. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/richmond.