When to plant in West Carson, CA
USDA Zone 10bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in West Carson, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
With only about -4 frost-free days, West Carson has a short season — start heat-lovers indoors early, favor quick-maturing varieties, and use row cover to stretch both ends. Zone 10b is warm enough that West Carson can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
TORRANCE 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 West Carson’s own odds, recorded at TORRANCE AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 5 | Jan 17 | Dec 12 | Dec 1 | Dec 31 | Feb 20 |
| 32°F | Feb 24 | Jan 9 | Dec 4 | Dec 3 | Jan 5 | Feb 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 West Carson, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 39 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.
West Carson planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in West Carson, CA?
Plan for the last spring frost in West Carson around January 9 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in West Carson, CA?
The first fall frost in West Carson typically arrives around January 5 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is West Carson in?
West Carson is in USDA hardiness zone 10b. In zone 10b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in West Carson?
There are roughly -4 frost-free days in West Carson (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around January 9 to the first fall frost near January 5.
When should I plant tomatoes in West Carson?
In West Carson, start tomato seeds indoors around November 14–November 28, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 16 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in West Carson
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to West Carson’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lomita · 4 km
- Carson · 5 km
- Torrance · 6 km
- Gardena · 8 km
- Lawndale · 9 km
- West Rancho Dominguez · 9 km
- Compton · 10 km
- Redondo Beach · 10 km
Frost dates recorded at TORRANCE AP, 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 West Carson, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00003122. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/west-carson.