Frost dates for 95918Browns Valley, CA
The average last spring frost in Browns Valley is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 229 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 229 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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 4 · Apr 23 · May 12 | Oct 12 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Apr 1 · Apr 22 | Oct 31 · Nov 17 · Dec 5 | 229 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 24 · Feb 27 · Mar 27 | Nov 14 · Dec 1 · Dec 29 | 281 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Browns Valley
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95918 is matched to the NOAA station Dobbins 1 S, CA, 13.5 km away, at 1,640 ft elevation (538 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dobbins 1 S, CA (used) | 1,640 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 17 |
| Grass Valley #2, CA | 2,400 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 13 |
| Marysville, CA | 57 ft | Jan 15 | Dec 12 |
| Nevada City, CA | 2,781 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Browns Valley
- Oregon House, CA 95962 · last Apr 1, first Nov 17
- Smartsville, CA 95977 · last Feb 11, first Nov 30
- Dobbins, CA 95935 · last Apr 1, first Nov 17
- Bangor, CA 95914 · last Jan 30, first Dec 13
- Penn Valley, CA 95946 · last Apr 1, first Nov 17
- Rackerby, CA 95972 · last Apr 1, first Nov 17
- Rough And Ready, CA 95975 · last Apr 1, first Nov 17
- Brownsville, CA 95919 · last Apr 14, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Browns Valley, CA?
- For ZIP code 95918, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dobbins 1 S, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Browns Valley, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95918?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 229 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.