Frost dates for 95490Willits, CA
The average last spring frost in Willits is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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) | May 14 · Jun 1 · Jun 23 | Sep 1 · Sep 20 · Oct 7 | 107 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · May 5 · May 31 | Sep 24 · Oct 9 · Oct 31 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 31 · Apr 23 | Oct 8 · Oct 30 · Nov 30 | 216 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Willits
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 | Apr 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95490 is matched to the NOAA station Willits 1 Ne, CA, 4 km away, at 1,353 ft elevation (524 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willits 1 Ne, CA (used) | 1,353 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Potter Valley Powerhouse, CA | 1,018 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 6 |
| Ft Bragg 5 N, CA | 123 ft | Mar 2 | Dec 1 |
| Ukiah, CA | 636 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Willits
- Redwood Valley, CA 95470 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
- Laytonville, CA 95454 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Potter Valley, CA 95469 · last Apr 8, first Nov 6
- Comptche, CA 95427 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
- Calpella, CA 95418 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
- Dos Rios, CA 95429 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Branscomb, CA 95417 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Navarro, CA 95463 · last Apr 8, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Willits, CA?
- For ZIP code 95490, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Willits 1 Ne, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Willits, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95490?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.