Fall in zone 10bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 93103 (Santa Barbara, CA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Santa Barbara, CA (1 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 11% of years (about 0 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 6 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)year-round in a typical yearmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10b35 to 40°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 65°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Santa Barbara 11 W, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 68°, Fri 71°, Sat 72°.
4-inch depth
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Santa Barbara 11 W, 12 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 68°, Fri 70°, Sat 71°.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 93103 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 71°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: California coastal and valleys. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Feb 28 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 30–Oct 28
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 14–Nov 11
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 30–Oct 28
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 14–Nov 11
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 30–Oct 28
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 30–Oct 28
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 30–Oct 28
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 14–28
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 14–28
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Nov 4–18
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Nov 4–18
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 25
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Nov 4–18
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Nov 4–18
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Nov 4–18
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 21–Nov 4
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 11
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 11
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 11
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 28–Nov 11
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 21–Nov 4
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Dec 12 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 13 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 24 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Dec 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 6 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 22 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jan 11 | Dec 30 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 13 | Jan 6 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | n/a | n/a |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 93103
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 13) and first fall frost (Jan 6). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Sep 9–Oct 7 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 4–18 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Sep 16–Oct 7 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 4–18 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Sep 16–Oct 7 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Dec 23–Jan 13 (transplant) Dec 16–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 11–Dec 2 (transplant) Oct 28–Nov 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 11–Dec 2 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Dec 16–30 (transplant) Dec 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 11 (transplant) Sep 30–Oct 28 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Dec 16–Jan 13 (transplant) Dec 16–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–Nov 11 (transplant) Sep 30–Oct 28 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 4–18 | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | Sep 30–Oct 28 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 4–18 | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | Sep 30–Oct 28 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 4–18 | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) | Sep 30–Oct 28 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 21–Nov 4 | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | Sep 16–Oct 7 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Dec 16–30 (transplant) Dec 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 28–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Nov 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 16–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 11–Dec 9 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 16–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 2–16 | Dec 30–Jan 20 (transplant) Dec 30–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 28–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 16–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 28–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 9–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Nov 25–Dec 9 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 16–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 28–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 23–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 18–Dec 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 21–Nov 4 | Dec 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 28–Nov 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 21–Nov 4 | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 25–Dec 23 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 2–16 (transplant) | Nov 25–Dec 23 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | Sep 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 16–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 16–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 14–28 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 16–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 16–23 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 16–23 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 2–16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 21–Nov 4 | Jan 20–27 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 2–16 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 30–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 4–18 | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) Dec 23–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 11–25 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | Oct 28–Nov 25 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Santa Barbara, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00047902), elevation 16 ft, 1.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gibraltar Dam #2, CA | 6 mi | Mar 20 | Nov 27 |
| Santa Barbara Muni AP, CA | 9 mi | Jan 11 | Dec 16 |
| Santa Barbara 11 W, CA | 12 mi | Dec 31 (prior Dec) | Dec 20 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 82 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 93103
When is the last frost in 93103?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 93103 is January 13. For a more cautious planting date, use February 24, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 93103?
The average first fall freeze is January 6 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 12.
What hardiness zone is 93103?
ZIP 93103 is in USDA zone 10b (35 to 40°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 93103 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
93101 Santa Barbara 93109 Santa Barbara 93108 Montecito 93067 Summerland 93110 Eastern Goleta Valley 93111 Eastern Goleta Valley 93105 Mission Canyon 93106 University of California-Santa Barbara
Other ZIP codes in Santa Barbara County
93013 93067 93101 93105 93106 93108 93109 93110 93111 93117 93254 93427 93429 93434 93436 93437 93440 93441 93454 93455 93458 93460 93463 All Santa Barbara County frost dates · California frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.