When to plant in South Pasadena, CA
USDA Zone 10aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in South Pasadena, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A ~-1-day frost-free window makes South Pasadena a short-season garden: choose early varieties and start long-season crops indoors well ahead of the last frost. In zone 10a, frost is a minor factor for South Pasadena — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
PASADENA · 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 South Pasadena’s own odds, recorded at PASADENA.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 27 | Jan 17 | Dec 18 | Dec 5 | Dec 28 | Feb 7 |
| 32°F | Feb 17 | Jan 8 | Dec 20 | Dec 20 | Jan 7 | Feb 14 |
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 South Pasadena, 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.
South Pasadena planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in South Pasadena, CA?
South Pasadena's average last spring frost falls near January 8 — 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 South Pasadena, CA?
In South Pasadena, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around January 7 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is South Pasadena in?
South Pasadena is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in South Pasadena?
South Pasadena has about -1 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 8) and first fall frost (January 7).
When should I plant tomatoes in South Pasadena?
For South Pasadena, sow tomatoes indoors about November 13–November 27 and move the seedlings out around January 15, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in South Pasadena
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to South Pasadena’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Alhambra · 3 km
- San Marino · 4 km
- San Gabriel · 6 km
- Pasadena · 6 km
- Monterey Park · 7 km
- East San Gabriel · 7 km
- Rosemead · 8 km
- East Los Angeles · 9 km
Frost dates recorded at PASADENA, 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 South Pasadena, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00046719. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/south-pasadena.