Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 93906 (Salinas, 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, Salinas Municipal AP, CA (4 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 90% of years (about 6 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 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)325 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°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
74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Vallecitos (55 mi), Merced 23 WSW (55 mi), Monocline Ridge (61 mi).
4-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 74°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Vallecitos (55 mi), Merced 23 WSW (55 mi), Monocline Ridge (61 mi).
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 93906 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 73°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). 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 Mar 16 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
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 1–29
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 15–Nov 5
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 5
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 12
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 1–29
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 6–20
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 12
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 6–20
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 6–20
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 26
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 26
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 6–20
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 10: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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 18 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 29 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 1 |
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) | Nov 21 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 10 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 15 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 9 | Nov 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 29 | Dec 10 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Dec 31 (prior Dec) | Dec 25 |
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 93906
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 29) and first fall frost (Dec 10). 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 | Dec 4–18 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 4–18 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 4–18 | Jan 8–29 (transplant) Jan 1–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 5 (transplant) Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 18–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 4–18 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) Jan 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (transplant) Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 4–18 | Jan 1–29 (transplant) Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (transplant) Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 6–20 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 4–18 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) Jan 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Jan 15–Feb 5 (transplant) Jan 15–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 25–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 29–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 4–Jan 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 6–20 | Dec 18–Jan 1 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 18–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 6–20 | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 29–Nov 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 18–Jan 1 (transplant) | Oct 29–Nov 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 19–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 1–8 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 1–8 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 1–8 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 1–8 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 1–8 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 6–20 | Feb 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 15–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 20–Dec 4 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) Jan 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 1–15 (transplant) | Oct 1–29 (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: Salinas Municipal AP, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00023233), elevation 74 ft, 4.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas #2, CA | 5 mi | Feb 4 | Dec 6 |
| Hollister 2, CA | 15 mi | Feb 19 | Dec 1 |
| Monterey Peninsul AP, CA | 15 mi | Jan 2 | Dec 23 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 48 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 93906
When is the last frost in 93906?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 93906 is January 29. For a more cautious planting date, use March 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 93906?
The average first fall freeze is December 10. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 21.
What hardiness zone is 93906?
ZIP 93906 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 93906 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
93905 Salinas 93907 Prunedale 93901 Salinas 93962 Spreckels 93908 95012 Elkhorn 93933 Marina 95045 San Juan Bautista
Other ZIP codes in Monterey County
93426 93450 93451 93901 93905 93907 93908 93920 93921 93923 93924 93925 93926 93927 93928 93930 93932 93933 93940 93943 93944 93950 93953 93954 All Monterey County frost dates · California frost dates
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