Frost dates for 95330Lathrop, CA
The average last spring frost in Lathrop is February 6 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 304 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 6
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 304 days
Safer after Feb 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 31 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) | Feb 11 · Mar 10 · Apr 7 | Nov 4 · Nov 18 · Dec 2 | 253 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Dec 31 · Feb 6 · Feb 28 | Nov 15 · Dec 1 · Dec 26 | 304 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 14 · Jan 10 · Feb 5 | Nov 29 · Dec 16 · Jan 14 | 346 days | 77% |
Planting calendar for Lathrop
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 6 – Mar 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 6 – Feb 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Feb 22 – Apr 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Feb 22 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Feb 22 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Mar 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Nov 25 – Dec 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 19 – Jan 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 9 – Jan 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Mar 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Feb 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95330 is matched to the NOAA station Stockton Metro Ap, CA, 9.1 km away, at 26 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton Metro Ap, CA (used) | 26 ft | Feb 6 | Dec 1 |
| Tracy Carbona, CA | 135 ft | Feb 25 | Nov 26 |
| Stockton Fire Stn 4, CA | 12 ft | Feb 5 | Dec 8 |
| Tracy Pumping Plt, CA | 61 ft | Jan 19 | Dec 10 |
Frost dates near Lathrop
- Manteca, CA 95337 · last Feb 6, first Dec 1
- French Camp, CA 95231 · last Feb 6, first Dec 1
- Stockton, CA 95214 · last Feb 6, first Dec 1
- Tracy, CA 95304 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
- Ripon, CA 95366 · last Feb 6, first Dec 1
- Holt, CA 95234 · last Feb 5, first Dec 8
- Salida, CA 95368 · last Jan 31, first Dec 5
- Vernalis, CA 95385 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lathrop, CA?
- For ZIP code 95330, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stockton Metro Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 28.
- When is the first frost in Lathrop, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95330?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 304 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.