When to plant in Paso Robles, CA
Planting dates worked out from Paso Robles's own frost records, not a generic zone chart.
Safe to plant out
Apr 12
1 year in 10 has a later frost
Average last frost
Mar 18
about a 50% chance of a later one
Average first fall frost
Nov 7
1 year in 10 by Oct 27
Frost-free days
231
median, 1991–2020
Station used: Paso Robles · 0.5 km away · station 222 m, town 223 m. How we match towns to stations
This season
Plan your garden.
Planting dates for common crops
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out or sow | Harvest from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 6 |
| Sweet pepper | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 11 |
| Lettuce (leaf) | Jan 14 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 30 |
| Peas | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Mar 31 |
| Bush beans | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | May 25 |
| Carrot | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 26 |
| Beet | — | Feb 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 9 |
| Potato | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | May 6 |
| Kale | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Apr 19 |
| Cucumber | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 1 |
| Summer squash and zucchini | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 27 |
| Winter squash | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 1 |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Jun 4 |
| Onion (from sets) | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | May 19 |
| Garlic | — | Oct 24 – Nov 21 (fall) | following summer |
| Spinach | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Mar 14 |
| Basil | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 8 |
Paso Robles's weather over time
How the growing season has shifted here, year by year, from the station's own records.
Each year's last spring frostLong-term trend
See the data as a table
| Year | Last spring frost |
|---|---|
| 1894 | Apr 17 |
| 1895 | Apr 5 |
| 1897 | Feb 24 |
| 1898 | Mar 27 |
| 1900 | Apr 26 |
| 1901 | Apr 10 |
| 1902 | Jun 1 |
| 1903 | May 22 |
| 1910 | May 5 |
| 1911 | May 15 |
| 1912 | May 22 |
| 1913 | May 4 |
| 1914 | Apr 29 |
| 1915 | May 2 |
| 1916 | May 20 |
| 1917 | May 26 |
| 1918 | May 26 |
| 1919 | Apr 19 |
| 1920 | Apr 24 |
| 1921 | Apr 15 |
| 1922 | May 10 |
| 1923 | Mar 24 |
| 1924 | Apr 16 |
| 1925 | Apr 21 |
| 1926 | Jan 27 |
| 1927 | Apr 11 |
| 1928 | Feb 18 |
| 1929 | Apr 13 |
| 1930 | Mar 1 |
| 1931 | Mar 27 |
| 1932 | Apr 23 |
| 1933 | May 10 |
| 1934 | Apr 5 |
| 1935 | Apr 10 |
| 1936 | Apr 7 |
| 1937 | Apr 30 |
| 1938 | Apr 1 |
| 1939 | Apr 16 |
| 1940 | Mar 14 |
| 1942 | Apr 2 |
| 1943 | May 14 |
| 1944 | May 11 |
| 1945 | Apr 15 |
| 1946 | Apr 3 |
| 1947 | Feb 28 |
| 1948 | Mar 28 |
| 1949 | Mar 31 |
| 1950 | May 8 |
| 1951 | Apr 18 |
| 1952 | Mar 23 |
| 1953 | Apr 12 |
| 1954 | Mar 18 |
| 1955 | Apr 19 |
| 1956 | Apr 12 |
| 1957 | Apr 7 |
| 1958 | Mar 12 |
| 1959 | Apr 16 |
| 1960 | Apr 22 |
| 1961 | May 12 |
| 1962 | Mar 23 |
| 1963 | Apr 2 |
| 1964 | May 7 |
| 1965 | May 7 |
| 1966 | Apr 21 |
| 1967 | Apr 30 |
| 1968 | May 6 |
| 1969 | Mar 16 |
| 1970 | Apr 29 |
| 1971 | Apr 25 |
| 1972 | May 25 |
| 1973 | Jun 15 |
| 1974 | May 18 |
| 1975 | Apr 26 |
| 1976 | Apr 30 |
| 1977 | May 26 |
| 1978 | Apr 8 |
| 1979 | Apr 18 |
| 1980 | Apr 3 |
| 1981 | Feb 27 |
| 1982 | Apr 7 |
| 1983 | Apr 13 |
| 1984 | Apr 29 |
| 1985 | Mar 30 |
| 1986 | Mar 14 |
| 1987 | Apr 19 |
| 1988 | Apr 2 |
| 1989 | Mar 4 |
| 1990 | Mar 14 |
| 1991 | Mar 17 |
| 1992 | Feb 6 |
| 1993 | Feb 28 |
| 1994 | Mar 24 |
| 1995 | Mar 27 |
| 1996 | Feb 28 |
| 1997 | Apr 14 |
| 1998 | Mar 30 |
| 1999 | Apr 11 |
| 2000 | Feb 25 |
| 2001 | Apr 9 |
| 2002 | Mar 20 |
| 2003 | Apr 6 |
| 2004 | Feb 13 |
| 2005 | Feb 5 |
| 2007 | Mar 28 |
| 2008 | Mar 31 |
| 2009 | Apr 17 |
| 2010 | Mar 15 |
| 2011 | Apr 10 |
| 2012 | Apr 9 |
| 2013 | Apr 17 |
| 2014 | Feb 6 |
| 2015 | Mar 6 |
| 2016 | Mar 29 |
| 2017 | Mar 6 |
| 2018 | Mar 6 |
| 2019 | Feb 24 |
| 2020 | Mar 28 |
| 2021 | Mar 18 |
| 2022 | Mar 13 |
| 2023 | Mar 8 |
| 2024 | Apr 7 |
| 2025 | Mar 11 |
| 2026 | Feb 22 |
Each year's frost-free daysLong-term trend
See the data as a table
| Year | Frost-free days |
|---|---|
| 1894 | 216 |
| 1895 | 210 |
| 1897 | 256 |
| 1900 | 186 |
| 1901 | 216 |
| 1902 | 120 |
| 1910 | 173 |
| 1911 | 133 |
| 1912 | 136 |
| 1913 | 153 |
| 1914 | 136 |
| 1915 | 149 |
| 1916 | 158 |
| 1917 | 145 |
| 1918 | 152 |
| 1919 | 180 |
| 1920 | 178 |
| 1921 | 215 |
| 1922 | 172 |
| 1923 | 248 |
| 1924 | 176 |
| 1925 | 196 |
| 1926 | 319 |
| 1927 | 225 |
| 1928 | 237 |
| 1929 | 196 |
| 1930 | 257 |
| 1931 | 229 |
| 1932 | 179 |
| 1933 | 178 |
| 1934 | 236 |
| 1935 | 195 |
| 1936 | 210 |
| 1937 | 191 |
| 1938 | 219 |
| 1939 | 192 |
| 1940 | 227 |
| 1942 | 209 |
| 1944 | 180 |
| 1945 | 190 |
| 1946 | 198 |
| 1947 | 247 |
| 1948 | 180 |
| 1949 | 189 |
| 1950 | 145 |
| 1951 | 186 |
| 1952 | 224 |
| 1953 | 190 |
| 1954 | 213 |
| 1955 | 190 |
| 1956 | 196 |
| 1957 | 209 |
| 1958 | 243 |
| 1959 | 195 |
| 1960 | 170 |
| 1961 | 149 |
| 1962 | 236 |
| 1963 | 212 |
| 1964 | 190 |
| 1965 | 161 |
| 1966 | 175 |
| 1967 | 168 |
| 1968 | 154 |
| 1969 | 201 |
| 1970 | 180 |
| 1971 | 158 |
| 1972 | 157 |
| 1973 | 109 |
| 1974 | 168 |
| 1975 | 165 |
| 1976 | 180 |
| 1977 | 166 |
| 1978 | 204 |
| 1979 | 194 |
| 1980 | 195 |
| 1981 | 226 |
| 1982 | 210 |
| 1983 | 208 |
| 1984 | 173 |
| 1985 | 194 |
| 1986 | 232 |
| 1987 | 209 |
| 1988 | 229 |
| 1989 | 239 |
| 1990 | 211 |
| 1991 | 227 |
| 1992 | 276 |
| 1993 | 250 |
| 1994 | 223 |
| 1995 | 244 |
| 1996 | 234 |
| 1997 | 194 |
| 1998 | 214 |
| 1999 | 221 |
| 2000 | 257 |
| 2001 | 231 |
| 2002 | 225 |
| 2003 | 209 |
| 2007 | 238 |
| 2008 | 193 |
| 2009 | 194 |
| 2010 | 241 |
| 2011 | 208 |
| 2012 | 214 |
| 2013 | 201 |
| 2014 | 290 |
| 2015 | 243 |
| 2016 | 239 |
| 2017 | 256 |
| 2018 | 247 |
| 2019 | 246 |
| 2020 | 225 |
| 2021 | 249 |
| 2022 | 234 |
| 2023 | 234 |
| 2024 | 213 |
| 2025 | 263 |
Each year's average temperature, April to SeptemberLong-term trend
See the data as a table
| Year | Growing-season temperature |
|---|---|
| 1894 | 18.7 °C |
| 1895 | 17.7 °C |
| 1897 | 19.2 °C |
| 1900 | 18.0 °C |
| 1901 | 18.4 °C |
| 1902 | 17.1 °C |
| 1910 | 18.4 °C |
| 1911 | 17.3 °C |
| 1912 | 17.4 °C |
| 1913 | 18.7 °C |
| 1914 | 17.9 °C |
| 1915 | 18.5 °C |
| 1916 | 18.7 °C |
| 1917 | 19.5 °C |
| 1918 | 19.1 °C |
| 1919 | 19.1 °C |
| 1920 | 18.3 °C |
| 1921 | 18.4 °C |
| 1922 | 19.0 °C |
| 1923 | 18.1 °C |
| 1924 | 18.5 °C |
| 1925 | 18.1 °C |
| 1926 | 19.4 °C |
| 1927 | 18.5 °C |
| 1928 | 19.3 °C |
| 1929 | 18.9 °C |
| 1930 | 18.4 °C |
| 1931 | 20.3 °C |
| 1932 | 18.7 °C |
| 1933 | 18.1 °C |
| 1934 | 18.9 °C |
| 1935 | 18.5 °C |
| 1936 | 19.3 °C |
| 1937 | 19.0 °C |
| 1938 | 18.6 °C |
| 1939 | 19.4 °C |
| 1940 | 19.2 °C |
| 1942 | 19.2 °C |
| 1943 | 18.7 °C |
| 1944 | 18.1 °C |
| 1945 | 18.9 °C |
| 1946 | 19.0 °C |
| 1947 | 19.5 °C |
| 1948 | 18.4 °C |
| 1949 | 19.0 °C |
| 1950 | 18.8 °C |
| 1951 | 18.7 °C |
| 1952 | 19.2 °C |
| 1953 | 18.6 °C |
| 1954 | 19.1 °C |
| 1955 | 18.2 °C |
| 1956 | 18.7 °C |
| 1957 | 19.4 °C |
| 1958 | 19.8 °C |
| 1959 | 19.7 °C |
| 1960 | 19.6 °C |
| 1961 | 19.9 °C |
| 1962 | 18.9 °C |
| 1963 | 18.2 °C |
| 1964 | 18.2 °C |
| 1965 | 17.9 °C |
| 1966 | 19.2 °C |
| 1967 | 19.1 °C |
| 1968 | 18.7 °C |
| 1969 | 19.4 °C |
| 1970 | 18.9 °C |
| 1971 | 18.9 °C |
| 1972 | 18.8 °C |
| 1974 | 19.1 °C |
| 1975 | 18.2 °C |
| 1976 | 18.9 °C |
| 1977 | 19.0 °C |
| 1978 | 19.2 °C |
| 1979 | 20.1 °C |
| 1980 | 18.9 °C |
| 1981 | 20.2 °C |
| 1982 | 18.7 °C |
| 1983 | 19.3 °C |
| 1984 | 20.8 °C |
| 1989 | 19.9 °C |
| 1990 | 20.1 °C |
| 1991 | 18.9 °C |
| 1992 | 20.2 °C |
| 1993 | 18.9 °C |
| 1994 | 19.1 °C |
| 1995 | 18.7 °C |
| 1996 | 19.4 °C |
| 1997 | 19.6 °C |
| 1998 | 18.2 °C |
| 1999 | 17.6 °C |
| 2000 | 19.3 °C |
| 2001 | 19.3 °C |
| 2002 | 18.9 °C |
| 2005 | 18.7 °C |
| 2007 | 19.9 °C |
| 2008 | 20.0 °C |
| 2009 | 19.9 °C |
| 2010 | 18.2 °C |
| 2011 | 18.7 °C |
| 2012 | 19.9 °C |
| 2013 | 20.6 °C |
| 2014 | 20.4 °C |
| 2015 | 20.0 °C |
| 2016 | 20.1 °C |
| 2017 | 21.0 °C |
| 2018 | 20.1 °C |
| 2019 | 20.0 °C |
| 2020 | 20.3 °C |
| 2021 | 19.9 °C |
| 2022 | 21.0 °C |
| 2023 | 19.2 °C |
| 2024 | 20.4 °C |
| 2025 | 19.9 °C |
| 2026 | 19.9 °C |
What this means for you: Since 1894, Paso Robles's last spring frost has come about 3 days earlier per decade, on average. The frost-free season has grown by about 4 days per decade. Year-to-year swings are large, so keep using the safe date rather than the trend.
Source: daily records from Paso Robles (NOAA GHCN-Daily). Years with too many missing days are left out.