Frost dates for 95417Branscomb, CA
The average last spring frost in Branscomb is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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) | Apr 26 · May 13 · Jun 4 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 23 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 23 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 19 · Nov 8 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 29 · Apr 18 | Oct 14 · Nov 3 · Nov 28 | 220 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Branscomb
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 | Mar 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95417 is matched to the NOAA station Covelo, CA, 29.6 km away, at 1,413 ft elevation (1,274 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covelo, CA (used) | 1,413 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 19 |
| Ft Bragg 5 N, CA | 123 ft | Mar 2 | Dec 1 |
| Willits 1 Ne, CA | 1,353 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Richardson Gr Sp, CA | 503 ft | Mar 10 | Dec 1 |
Frost dates near Branscomb
- Laytonville, CA 95454 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Dos Rios, CA 95429 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Westport, CA 95488 · last Mar 2, first Dec 1
- Leggett, CA 95585 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Willits, CA 95490 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Piercy, CA 95587 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Fort Bragg, CA 95437 · last Mar 2, first Dec 1
- Caspar, CA 95420 · last Mar 2, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Branscomb, CA?
- For ZIP code 95417, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Covelo, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Branscomb, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95417?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.