Frost dates for 95528Carlotta, CA
The average last spring frost in Carlotta is March 4 and the average first fall frost is November 22, giving a typical growing season of about 264 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 22
- Growing season
- 264 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 26 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 14 · Apr 8 · Apr 26 | Oct 19 · Nov 5 · Nov 23 | 210 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 27 · Mar 4 · Apr 8 | Nov 1 · Nov 22 · Dec 15 | 264 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 6 · Jan 19 · Feb 28 | Nov 16 · Dec 8 · Jan 24 | 330 days | 84% |
Planting calendar for Carlotta
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 | Feb 1 – Apr 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – May 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 21 – Jan 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 12 – Dec 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95528 is matched to the NOAA station Grizzly Creek Sp, CA, 6 km away, at 413 ft elevation (387 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly Creek Sp, CA (used) | 413 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 22 |
| Scotia, CA | 136 ft | Feb 1 | Dec 19 |
| Eureka Wfo Woodley Island, CA | 20 ft | Feb 22 | Dec 7 |
| Shelter Cove Aviation, CA | 246 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Carlotta
- Scotia, CA 95565 · last Feb 1, first Dec 19
- Hydesville, CA 95547 · last Feb 1, first Dec 19
- Rio Dell, CA 95562 · last Feb 1, first Dec 19
- Bridgeville, CA 95526 · last Mar 4, first Nov 22
- Kneeland, CA 95549 · last Apr 16, first Oct 31
- Fortuna, CA 95540 · last Feb 1, first Dec 19
- Redcrest, CA 95569 · last Feb 1, first Dec 19
- Weott, CA 95571 · last Feb 1, first Dec 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Carlotta, CA?
- For ZIP code 95528, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grizzly Creek Sp, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Carlotta, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95528?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 264 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.