Frost dates for 95460Mendocino, CA
The average last spring frost in Mendocino is March 2 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 272 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 2
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 272 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 9 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 32 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 26 · Apr 16 · May 11 | Oct 13 · Nov 6 · Nov 30 | 201 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 8 · Mar 2 · Apr 6 | Nov 9 · Dec 1 · Jan 11 | 272 days | 98% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 5 · Jan 7 · Feb 21 | Nov 22 · Dec 21 · Feb 4 | 360 days | 55% |
Planting calendar for Mendocino
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 30 – Apr 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – May 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 19 – Jan 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95460 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Bragg 5 N, CA, 21.4 km away, at 123 ft elevation (326 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Bragg 5 N, CA (used) | 123 ft | Mar 2 | Dec 1 |
| Willits 1 Ne, CA | 1,353 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Ukiah, CA | 636 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 20 |
| Ukiah Muni Ap, CA | 601 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 21 |
Frost dates near Mendocino
- Little River, CA 95456 · last Mar 2, first Dec 1
- Caspar, CA 95420 · last Mar 2, first Dec 1
- Albion, CA 95410 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Fort Bragg, CA 95437 · last Mar 2, first Dec 1
- Comptche, CA 95427 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
- Elk, CA 95432 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
- Navarro, CA 95463 · last Apr 8, first Nov 6
- Manchester, CA 95459 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mendocino, CA?
- For ZIP code 95460, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Bragg 5 N, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Mendocino, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. 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 95460?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 272 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.