Frost dates for 95043Paicines, CA
The average last spring frost in Paicines is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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) | May 12 · May 31 · Jun 16 | Sep 8 · Oct 3 · Oct 23 | 124 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 8 · May 29 | Oct 1 · Oct 22 · Nov 8 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 15 · May 8 | Oct 19 · Nov 5 · Nov 25 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Paicines
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 | Apr 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95043 is matched to the NOAA station Priest Valley, CA, 42.6 km away, at 2,300 ft elevation (62 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priest Valley, CA (used) | 2,300 ft | May 8 | Oct 22 |
| Pinnacles Nm, CA | 1,307 ft | Apr 23 | Nov 3 |
| King City, CA | 320 ft | Feb 23 | Nov 22 |
| Paicines 4 W, CA | 905 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Paicines
- Greenfield, CA 93927 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- Soledad, CA 93960 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- King City, CA 93930 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- Gonzales, CA 93926 · last Jan 29, first Dec 10
- San Lucas, CA 93954 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- Tres Pinos, CA 95075 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
- Chualar, CA 93925 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
- Hollister, CA 95023 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Paicines, CA?
- For ZIP code 95043, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Priest Valley, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Paicines, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95043?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 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.