Frost dates for 95617Davis, CA
The average last spring frost in Davis is February 10 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 295 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 10
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 295 days
Safer after Mar 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 13 (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) | Feb 22 · Mar 22 · Apr 16 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 1 | 236 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Dec 31 · Feb 10 · Mar 11 | Nov 13 · Dec 1 · Dec 27 | 295 days | 98% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 14 · Jan 6 · Feb 8 | Nov 29 · Dec 18 · Jan 18 | 344 days | 73% |
Planting calendar for Davis
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 10 – Mar 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Feb 26 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 10 – Feb 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 27 – Feb 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Feb 26 – Apr 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Feb 26 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Feb 26 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 – Mar 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Nov 29 – Dec 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 13 – Jan 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Mar 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Feb 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Mar 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95617 is matched to the NOAA station Davis 2 Wsw Exp Farm, CA, 4.7 km away, at 60 ft elevation (21 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davis 2 Wsw Exp Farm, CA (used) | 60 ft | Feb 10 | Dec 1 |
| Woodland 1 Wnw, CA | 67 ft | Feb 7 | Dec 5 |
| Sacramento Metro Ap, CA | 23 ft | Feb 22 | Nov 24 |
| Sacramento Executive Ap, CA | 15 ft | Feb 2 | Dec 2 |
Frost dates near Davis
- Davis, CA 95618 · last Feb 10, first Dec 1
- West Sacramento, CA 95799 · last Feb 2, first Dec 2
- Dixon, CA 95620 · last Feb 10, first Dec 1
- Woodland, CA 95776 · last Feb 7, first Dec 5
- Sacramento, CA 95899 · last Feb 2, first Dec 2
- Winters, CA 95694 · last Feb 18, first Nov 30
- Yolo, CA 95697 · last Feb 7, first Dec 5
- Clarksburg, CA 95612 · last Feb 2, first Dec 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Davis, CA?
- For ZIP code 95617, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Davis 2 Wsw Exp Farm, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 11.
- When is the first frost in Davis, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95617?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 295 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.