Frost dates for 95341Merced, CA
The average last spring frost in Merced is February 26 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 273 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 273 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 9 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 29 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 5 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 26 · Nov 11 · Nov 26 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 20 · Feb 26 · Apr 1 | Nov 9 · Nov 25 · Dec 16 | 273 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 21 · Jan 22 · Feb 24 | Nov 23 · Dec 10 · Jan 12 | 329 days | 90% |
Planting calendar for Merced
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 26 – Apr 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 14 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 26 – Feb 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 15 – Jan 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Apr 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95341 is matched to the NOAA station Merced Muni Ap, CA, 6 km away, at 152 ft elevation (11 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced Muni Ap, CA (used) | 152 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 25 |
| Merced, CA | 154 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 24 |
| Merced 23 Wsw, CA | 78 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 14 |
| Los Banos, CA | 120 ft | Jan 26 | Dec 10 |
Frost dates near Merced
- Merced, CA 95340 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- El Nido, CA 95317 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Santa Rita Park, CA 93661 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Atwater, CA 95301 · last Mar 3, first Nov 24
- Planada, CA 95365 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Winton, CA 95388 · last Mar 3, first Nov 24
- Le Grand, CA 95333 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Livingston, CA 95334 · last Jan 6, first Dec 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Merced, CA?
- For ZIP code 95341, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Merced Muni Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Merced, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95341?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 273 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.