Frost dates for 95685Sutter Creek, CA
The average last spring frost in Sutter Creek is March 4 and the average first fall frost is December 11, giving a typical growing season of about 285 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 4
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 11
- Growing season
- 285 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 39 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 9 · Apr 10 · May 4 | Nov 1 · Nov 25 · Dec 12 | 228 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 6 · Mar 4 · Apr 8 | Nov 19 · Dec 11 · Jan 4 | 285 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 14 · Jan 10 · Mar 2 | Dec 2 · Dec 27 · Jan 26 | 357 days | 62% |
Planting calendar for Sutter Creek
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 21 |
| 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 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – May 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Sep 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 21 |
| 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) | Aug 11 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Sep 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Nov 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Dec 1 – Jan 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95685 is matched to the NOAA station Sutter Hill Cdf, CA, 4.5 km away, at 1,586 ft elevation (188 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutter Hill Cdf, CA (used) | 1,586 ft | Mar 4 | Dec 11 |
| Camp Pardee, CA | 658 ft | Jan 22 | Dec 17 |
| Placerville, CA | 1,850 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 21 |
| Calaveras Big Trees, CA | 4,695 ft | May 7 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Sutter Creek
- Amador City, CA 95601 · last Jan 22, first Dec 17
- Drytown, CA 95699 · last Jan 22, first Dec 17
- Martell, CA 95654 · last Mar 4, first Dec 11
- Jackson, CA 95642 · last Mar 4, first Dec 11
- Plymouth, CA 95669 · last Jan 22, first Dec 17
- Pine Grove, CA 95665 · last Apr 12, first Nov 21
- River Pines, CA 95675 · last Mar 31, first Nov 21
- Fiddletown, CA 95629 · last Mar 31, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sutter Creek, CA?
- For ZIP code 95685, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sutter Hill Cdf, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Sutter Creek, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95685?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 285 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.