Frost dates for 95696Vacaville, CA
The average last spring frost in Vacaville is March 6 and the average first fall frost is November 30, giving a typical growing season of about 266 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 30
- Growing season
- 266 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 12 (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 15 · Apr 9 · Apr 27 | Oct 27 · Nov 12 · Nov 26 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 31 · Mar 6 · Apr 6 | Nov 12 · Nov 30 · Dec 19 | 266 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 24 · Jan 22 · Feb 26 | Nov 29 · Dec 15 · Jan 19 | 330 days | 87% |
Planting calendar for Vacaville
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 3 – Apr 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – May 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 20 – Dec 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95696 is matched to the NOAA station Markley Cove, CA, 11.6 km away, at 480 ft elevation (183 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Markley Cove, CA (used) | 480 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 30 |
| Vacaville, CA | 110 ft | Jan 31 | Dec 11 |
| Lake Solano, CA | 187 ft | Feb 4 | Dec 5 |
| Vacaville Nut Tree Ap, CA | 109 ft | Feb 18 | Nov 28 |
Frost dates near Vacaville
- Vacaville, CA 95688 · last Jan 31, first Dec 11
- Winters, CA 95694 · last Feb 18, first Nov 30
- Elmira, CA 95625 · last Feb 18, first Nov 28
- Dixon, CA 95620 · last Feb 10, first Dec 1
- Fairfield, CA 94533 · last Jan 15, first Dec 14
- Travis Afb, CA 94535 · last Jan 15, first Dec 14
- Napa, CA 94558 · last Apr 7, first Dec 5
- Suisun City, CA 94585 · last Jan 15, first Dec 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vacaville, CA?
- For ZIP code 95696, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Markley Cove, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Vacaville, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95696?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 266 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.