Frost dates for 95939Elk Creek, CA
The average last spring frost in Elk Creek is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 9 · Apr 24 · May 12 | Oct 13 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 188 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Apr 5 · Apr 24 | Oct 29 · Nov 13 · Nov 29 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 16 · Mar 1 · Apr 5 | Nov 8 · Nov 29 · Dec 19 | 271 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elk Creek
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95939 is matched to the NOAA station Stony Gorge Rsvr, CA, 9.1 km away, at 800 ft elevation (1,234 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Gorge Rsvr, CA (used) | 800 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 13 |
| East Park Rsvr, CA | 1,205 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 10 |
| Willows 6 W, CA | 234 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 6 |
| Orland, CA | 254 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 2 |
Frost dates near Elk Creek
- Stonyford, CA 95979 · last Apr 6, first Nov 10
- Willows, CA 95988 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Artois, CA 95913 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Orland, CA 95963 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Paskenta, CA 96074 · last Apr 5, first Nov 13
- Potter Valley, CA 95469 · last Apr 8, first Nov 6
- Flournoy, CA 96029 · last Apr 5, first Nov 13
- Maxwell, CA 95955 · last Feb 14, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elk Creek, CA?
- For ZIP code 95939, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stony Gorge Rsvr, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Elk Creek, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95939?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.