Frost dates for 95309Chinese Camp, CA
The average last spring frost in Chinese Camp is February 20 and the average first fall frost is December 11, giving a typical growing season of about 290 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 20
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 11
- Growing season
- 290 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 38 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 1 · Apr 7 · May 5 | Nov 3 · Nov 24 · Dec 12 | 229 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 10 · Feb 20 · Apr 7 | Nov 24 · Dec 11 · Jan 8 | 290 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 16 · Jan 6 · Feb 15 | Dec 5 · Dec 24 · Feb 1 | 358 days | 60% |
Planting calendar for Chinese Camp
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 20 – Mar 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Apr 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Sep 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 9 – Jan 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Feb 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Sep 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Apr 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Nov 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Feb 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Dec 1 – Jan 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95309 is matched to the NOAA station New Melones Dam Hq, CA, 17.6 km away, at 960 ft elevation (162 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Melones Dam Hq, CA (used) | 960 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 11 |
| Sonora, CA | 1,675 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 9 |
| Groveland 2, CA | 2,800 ft | Apr 22 | Nov 2 |
| Cherry Valley Dam, CA | 4,765 ft | May 2 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Chinese Camp
- Jamestown, CA 95327 · last Apr 9, first Nov 9
- Moccasin, CA 95347 · last Feb 20, first Dec 11
- Big Oak Flat, CA 95305 · last Apr 22, first Nov 2
- Standard, CA 95373 · last Apr 9, first Nov 9
- Sonora, CA 95370 · last Apr 9, first Nov 9
- La Grange, CA 95329 · last Feb 20, first Dec 11
- Tuolumne, CA 95379 · last Apr 22, first Nov 2
- Soulsbyville, CA 95372 · last Apr 22, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chinese Camp, CA?
- For ZIP code 95309, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New Melones Dam Hq, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Chinese Camp, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95309?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 290 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.