Frost dates for 95703Applegate, CA
The average last spring frost in Applegate is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 24, giving a typical growing season of about 233 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 24
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 24 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) | Apr 3 · Apr 23 · May 17 | Oct 18 · Nov 7 · Nov 24 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Apr 3 · Apr 29 | Nov 2 · Nov 24 · Dec 11 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 5 · Feb 21 · Apr 6 | Nov 21 · Dec 13 · Jan 14 | 294 days | 98% |
Planting calendar for Applegate
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 | Mar 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 14 – Dec 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95703 is matched to the NOAA station Colfax, CA, 10.8 km away, at 2,380 ft elevation (379 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colfax, CA (used) | 2,380 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 24 |
| Auburn, CA | 1,292 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 5 |
| Georgetown Rs, CA | 3,001 ft | Apr 12 | Nov 21 |
| Grass Valley #2, CA | 2,400 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Applegate
- Meadow Vista, CA 95722 · last Feb 25, first Dec 5
- Weimar, CA 95736 · last Apr 3, first Nov 24
- Auburn, CA 95602 · last Feb 25, first Dec 5
- Colfax, CA 95713 · last Apr 3, first Nov 24
- Cool, CA 95614 · last Feb 25, first Dec 5
- Greenwood, CA 95635 · last Mar 31, first Nov 21
- Grass Valley, CA 95949 · last Apr 10, first Nov 13
- Chicago Park, CA 95712 · last Apr 3, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Applegate, CA?
- For ZIP code 95703, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Colfax, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Applegate, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95703?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 233 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.