Frost dates for 95926Chico, CA
The average last spring frost in Chico is March 4 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 257 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 257 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 18 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 13 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 4 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 5 | 257 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 1 · Feb 5 · Mar 1 | Nov 13 · Dec 3 · Jan 5 | 307 days | 98% |
Planting calendar for Chico
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 – Jul 28 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – May 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Jul 28 |
| 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) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95926 is matched to the NOAA station Chico Univ Farm, CA, 6.4 km away, at 185 ft elevation (18 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico Univ Farm, CA (used) | 185 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 17 |
| Paradise, CA | 1,750 ft | Feb 7 | Dec 18 |
| De Sabla, CA | 2,710 ft | Apr 17 | Nov 11 |
| Orland, CA | 254 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 2 |
Frost dates near Chico
- Chico, CA 95976 · last Mar 4, first Nov 17
- Durham, CA 95938 · last Jan 29, first Dec 7
- Hamilton City, CA 95951 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Paradise, CA 95967 · last Feb 7, first Dec 18
- Forest Ranch, CA 95942 · last Apr 17, first Nov 11
- Nelson, CA 95958 · last Jan 29, first Dec 7
- Glenn, CA 95943 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Vina, CA 96092 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chico, CA?
- For ZIP code 95926, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chico Univ Farm, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Chico, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95926?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 257 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.