Frost dates for 93661Santa Rita Park, CA
The average last spring frost in Santa Rita Park is February 26 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 273 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 273 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 9 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 22 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 5 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 26 · Nov 11 · Nov 26 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 20 · Feb 26 · Apr 1 | Nov 9 · Nov 25 · Dec 16 | 273 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 21 · Jan 22 · Feb 24 | Nov 23 · Dec 10 · Jan 12 | 329 days | 90% |
Planting calendar for Santa Rita Park
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Jan 26 – Apr 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 14 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 26 – Feb 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 15 – Jan 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Apr 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93661 is matched to the NOAA station Merced Muni Ap, CA, 16.3 km away, at 152 ft elevation (50 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced Muni Ap, CA (used) | 152 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 25 |
| Merced, CA | 154 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 24 |
| Merced 23 Wsw, CA | 78 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 14 |
| Los Banos, CA | 120 ft | Jan 26 | Dec 10 |
Frost dates near Santa Rita Park
- El Nido, CA 95317 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Merced, CA 95341 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Atwater, CA 95301 · last Mar 3, first Nov 24
- Dos Palos, CA 93620 · last Jan 26, first Dec 10
- Livingston, CA 95334 · last Jan 6, first Dec 20
- Los Banos, CA 93635 · last Jan 26, first Dec 10
- Winton, CA 95388 · last Mar 3, first Nov 24
- South Dos Palos, CA 93665 · last Jan 26, first Dec 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Santa Rita Park, CA?
- For ZIP code 93661, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Merced Muni Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Santa Rita Park, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93661?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 273 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.