Frost dates for 95325Hornitos, CA
The average last spring frost in Hornitos is March 3 and the average first fall frost is November 24, giving a typical growing season of about 263 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 24
- Growing season
- 263 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 28 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 6 · Apr 7 · May 1 | Oct 21 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 2 · Mar 3 · Apr 10 | Nov 5 · Nov 24 · Dec 14 | 263 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 28 · Feb 2 · Mar 11 | Nov 22 · Dec 11 · Jan 14 | 318 days | 95% |
Planting calendar for Hornitos
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 31 – Apr 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Aug 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Mar 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – May 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Aug 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 20 – Jan 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Apr 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 14 – Dec 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95325 is matched to the NOAA station Merced, CA, 28.8 km away, at 154 ft elevation (358 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA (used) | 154 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 24 |
| Merced Muni Ap, CA | 152 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 25 |
| Groveland 2, CA | 2,800 ft | Apr 22 | Nov 2 |
| Turlock #2, CA | 103 ft | Jan 6 | Dec 20 |
Frost dates near Hornitos
- Snelling, CA 95369 · last Mar 3, first Nov 24
- Catheys Valley, CA 95306 · last Apr 22, first Nov 2
- Planada, CA 95365 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Le Grand, CA 95333 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Merced, CA 95340 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- La Grange, CA 95329 · last Feb 20, first Dec 11
- Winton, CA 95388 · last Mar 3, first Nov 24
- Midpines, CA 95345 · last Apr 22, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hornitos, CA?
- For ZIP code 95325, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Merced, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Hornitos, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95325?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 263 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.