When to plant in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA
USDA Zone 10aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in University of California-Santa Barbara, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
With about 339 frost-free days, University of California-Santa Barbara supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 10a is warm enough that University of California-Santa Barbara can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
The average last spring frost in University of California-Santa Barbara is now 10 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
SANTA BARBARA MUNI AP · 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 University of California-Santa Barbara’s own odds, recorded at SANTA BARBARA MUNI AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 17 | Feb 13 | Jan 9 | Nov 11 | Dec 1 | Dec 20 |
| 32°F | Feb 13 | Jan 11 | Dec 14 | Dec 1 | Dec 16 | Jan 18 |
| 28°F | Jan 18 | Dec 30 | Dec 8 | Dec 7 | Dec 26 | Jan 12 |
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 University of California-Santa Barbara, 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.
University of California-Santa Barbara planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in University of California-Santa Barbara is around January 11 (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 University of California-Santa Barbara, CA?
Expect University of California-Santa Barbara's first fall frost near December 16 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is University of California-Santa Barbara in?
University of California-Santa Barbara is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in University of California-Santa Barbara?
There are roughly 339 frost-free days in University of California-Santa Barbara (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around January 11 to the first fall frost near December 16.
When should I plant tomatoes in University of California-Santa Barbara?
In University of California-Santa Barbara, start tomato seeds indoors around November 16–November 30, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 18 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in University of California-Santa Barbara
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to University of California-Santa Barbara’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Isla Vista · 1 km
- Goleta · 2 km
- Eastern Goleta Valley · 6 km
- Santa Barbara · 12 km
- Carpinteria · 32 km
- San Buenaventura (Ventura) · 57 km
- Lompoc · 63 km
- Oxnard · 64 km
Frost dates recorded at SANTA BARBARA MUNI AP, 1 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 University of California-Santa Barbara, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00023190. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/university-of-california-santa-barbara.