When to plant in South Whittier, CA
USDA Zone 10bSouth Whittier, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
South Whittier'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. Heads up: the nearest complete-normals station is about 18 km from South Whittier, so your yard's frost dates can differ — a low spot or a paved city center can shift them by a week. Zone 10b is warm enough that South Whittier can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT · 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 Whittier’s own odds, recorded at SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 20 | Jan 17 | Dec 20 | Dec 6 | Dec 26 | Jan 30 |
| 32°F | Jan 28 | Jan 4 | Dec 19 | Dec 18 | Jan 2 | Jan 26 |
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 Whittier, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 29 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 Whittier planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in South Whittier, CA?
South Whittier's average last spring frost falls near January 4 — 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 Whittier, CA?
The first fall frost in South Whittier typically arrives around January 2 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is South Whittier in?
South Whittier is in USDA hardiness zone 10b. In zone 10b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in South Whittier?
There are roughly -2 frost-free days in South Whittier (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around January 4 to the first fall frost near January 2.
When should I plant tomatoes in South Whittier?
In South Whittier, start tomato seeds indoors around November 9–November 23, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 11 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in South Whittier
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to South Whittier’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Santa Fe Springs · 3 km
- Whittier · 4 km
- La Mirada · 4 km
- Norwalk · 6 km
- West Whittier-Los Nietos · 6 km
- La Habra · 7 km
- Cerritos · 8 km
- Pico Rivera · 8 km
Frost dates recorded at SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, 18 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 Whittier, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00047785. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/south-whittier.