Frost dates for 95556Orleans, CA
The average last spring frost in Orleans is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 26, giving a typical growing season of about 262 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 26
- Growing season
- 262 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 30 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 22 · Apr 12 · May 2 | Oct 17 · Nov 5 · Nov 27 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 26 · Mar 12 · Apr 9 | Oct 31 · Nov 26 · Dec 21 | 262 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 13 · Jan 28 · Mar 3 | Nov 16 · Dec 17 · Jan 31 | 326 days | 86% |
Planting calendar for Orleans
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 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 16 – Dec 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95556 is matched to the NOAA station Orleans, CA, 0.7 km away, at 403 ft elevation (417 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans, CA (used) | 403 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 26 |
| Cecilville, CA | 2,310 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 21 |
| Orick Prairie Creek Park, CA | 160 ft | Apr 12 | Nov 6 |
| Klamath, CA | 28 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Orleans
- Somes Bar, CA 95568 · last Apr 27, first Oct 21
- Forks Of Salmon, CA 96031 · last Apr 27, first Oct 21
- Hoopa, CA 95546 · last Mar 12, first Nov 26
- Willow Creek, CA 95573 · last Mar 12, first Nov 26
- Orick, CA 95555 · last Apr 12, first Nov 6
- Etna, CA 96027 · last May 20, first Oct 5
- Salyer, CA 95563 · last Apr 16, first Oct 31
- Blue Lake, CA 95525 · last Mar 8, first Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Orleans, CA?
- For ZIP code 95556, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Orleans, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Orleans, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95556?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 262 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.