Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 94404 (Foster City, 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, Redwood City, CA (6 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 88% 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 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)333 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10a30 to 35°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
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 94404 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring February to March; fall September to October.
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 4 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 3–31
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 17–Nov 7
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 17–Nov 7
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 17–31
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 17–Nov 14
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 17–31
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 17–31
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 17–31
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 3–31
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 14
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 28
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 31–Nov 28
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 12: 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 20 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 16 |
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 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 12 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 14 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 25 | Nov 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 17 | Dec 12 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Dec 31 (prior Dec) | Dec 26 |
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 94404
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 17) and first fall frost (Dec 12). 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 22–Dec 6 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 8–22 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 12 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 8–22 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 12 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Dec 27–Jan 17 (transplant) Dec 20–Jan 31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–Nov 7 (transplant) Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) Dec 20–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 17 (transplant) Sep 5–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Dec 20–Jan 17 (transplant) Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 17 (transplant) Sep 5–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 8–22 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 8–22 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 8–22 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 12 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) Dec 20–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 20–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 20–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–24 (transplant) Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 13–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 31–Nov 14 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 20–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 27–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 22–Dec 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 31–Nov 28 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Oct 31–Nov 28 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 20–27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 20–27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 20–27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 20–27 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 20–27 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 6–20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Jan 24–31 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 6–20 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 8–22 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) Dec 27–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 17–31 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (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: Redwood City, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00047339), elevation 31 ft, 5.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Intl AP, CA | 7 mi | Dec 29 (prior Dec) | Dec 26 |
| Woodside Fire STN 1, CA | 9 mi | Feb 25 | Nov 25 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 10 mi | Feb 1 | Dec 7 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 58 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 94404
When is the last frost in 94404?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 94404 is January 17. For a more cautious planting date, use February 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 94404?
The average first fall freeze is December 12. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 24.
What hardiness zone is 94404?
ZIP 94404 is in USDA zone 10a (30 to 35°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 94404 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
94065 Redwood City 94403 San Mateo 94401 San Mateo 94002 Belmont 94402 San Mateo 94070 San Carlos 94063 Redwood City 94010 Hillsborough
Other ZIP codes in San Mateo County
94002 94005 94010 94014 94015 94018 94019 94020 94021 94025 94027 94028 94030 94037 94038 94044 94060 94061 94062 94063 94065 94066 94070 94074 All San Mateo County frost dates · California frost dates
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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.