Frost dates for 95712Chicago Park, CA
The average last spring frost in Chicago Park 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 23 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 Chicago Park
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 95712 is matched to the NOAA station Colfax, CA, 6 km away, at 2,380 ft elevation (70 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 |
| Grass Valley #2, CA | 2,400 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 13 |
| Nevada City, CA | 2,781 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 20 |
| Blue Canyon Ap, CA | 5,276 ft | May 4 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Chicago Park
- Colfax, CA 95713 · last Apr 3, first Nov 24
- Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 · last Apr 14, first Nov 20
- Grass Valley, CA 95945 · last Apr 14, first Nov 20
- Gold Run, CA 95717 · last Apr 14, first Nov 20
- Weimar, CA 95736 · last Apr 3, first Nov 24
- Dutch Flat, CA 95714 · last Apr 14, first Nov 20
- Applegate, CA 95703 · last Apr 3, first Nov 24
- Meadow Vista, CA 95722 · last Feb 25, first Dec 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chicago Park, CA?
- For ZIP code 95712, 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 Chicago Park, 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 95712?
- 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.