Frost dates for 95018Felton, CA
The average last spring frost in Felton is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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) | Apr 6 · Apr 28 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 21 · Nov 11 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 25 · Apr 21 | Oct 18 · Nov 11 · Dec 4 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 26 · Feb 6 · Mar 9 | Nov 11 · Dec 4 · Jan 7 | 302 days | 96% |
Planting calendar for Felton
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 | Feb 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95018 is matched to the NOAA station Ben Lomond #4, CA, 2.7 km away, at 420 ft elevation (95 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Lomond #4, CA (used) | 420 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 70 ft | Jan 29 | Dec 13 |
| Los Gatos, CA | 365 ft | Feb 2 | Dec 6 |
| Watsonville Muni Ap, CA | 160 ft | Jan 31 | Dec 9 |
Frost dates near Felton
- Mount Hermon, CA 95041 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Ben Lomond, CA 95005 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Scotts Valley, CA 95066 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Brookdale, CA 95007 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Santa Cruz, CA 95060 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Boulder Creek, CA 95006 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Soquel, CA 95073 · last Jan 29, first Dec 13
- Los Gatos, CA 95033 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Felton, CA?
- For ZIP code 95018, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ben Lomond #4, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Felton, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95018?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.