Frost dates for 95651Lotus, CA
The average last spring frost in Lotus is February 25 and the average first fall frost is December 5, giving a typical growing season of about 286 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 25
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 5
- Growing season
- 286 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 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 2 · Apr 5 · Apr 30 | Oct 30 · Nov 19 · Dec 7 | 227 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 15 · Feb 25 · Apr 7 | Nov 15 · Dec 5 · Dec 31 | 286 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 19 · Jan 13 · Feb 25 | Dec 1 · Dec 22 · Jan 22 | 344 days | 81% |
Planting calendar for Lotus
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 25 – Apr 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 14 – Jan 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Apr 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 25 – Dec 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95651 is matched to the NOAA station Auburn, CA, 16.4 km away, at 1,292 ft elevation (370 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, CA (used) | 1,292 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 5 |
| Georgetown Rs, CA | 3,001 ft | Apr 12 | Nov 21 |
| Placerville, CA | 1,850 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 21 |
| Colfax, CA | 2,380 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Lotus
- Coloma, CA 95613 · last Feb 25, first Dec 5
- Garden Valley, CA 95633 · last Apr 3, first Nov 24
- Cool, CA 95614 · last Feb 25, first Dec 5
- Pilot Hill, CA 95664 · last Feb 25, first Dec 5
- Greenwood, CA 95635 · last Mar 31, first Nov 21
- Rescue, CA 95672 · last Mar 31, first Nov 21
- Auburn, CA 95604 · last Feb 25, first Dec 5
- Placerville, CA 95667 · last Mar 31, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lotus, CA?
- For ZIP code 95651, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Auburn, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Lotus, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95651?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 286 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.