When to plant in Scotts Valley, CA
USDA Zone 9bScotts Valley, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 9b, frost is a minor factor for Scotts Valley — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
BEN LOMOND #4 · 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 Scotts Valley’s own odds, recorded at BEN LOMOND #4.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | Apr 28 | Apr 6 | Oct 1 | Oct 21 | Nov 11 |
| 32°F | Apr 21 | Mar 25 | Feb 17 | Oct 18 | Nov 11 | Dec 4 |
| 28°F | Mar 9 | Feb 6 | Dec 26 | Nov 11 | Dec 4 | Jan 7 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Scotts Valley, 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.
Scotts Valley planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Scotts Valley, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Scotts Valley is around March 25 (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 Scotts Valley, CA?
In Scotts Valley, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 11 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Scotts Valley in?
Scotts Valley is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Scotts Valley?
Scotts Valley has about 231 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 25) and first fall frost (November 11).
When should I plant tomatoes in Scotts Valley?
For Scotts Valley, sow tomatoes indoors about January 28–February 11 and move the seedlings out around April 1, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Scotts Valley
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Scotts Valley’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Live Oak · 8 km
- Soquel · 9 km
- Santa Cruz · 9 km
- Los Gatos · 20 km
- Saratoga · 24 km
- Campbell · 26 km
- Watsonville · 26 km
- Cupertino · 29 km
Frost dates recorded at BEN LOMOND #4, 7 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 Scotts Valley, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00040673. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/scotts-valley.