Frost dates for 95956Meadow Valley, CA
The average last spring frost in Meadow Valley is May 22 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 122 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 122 days
Safer after Jun 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 207 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) | — | — | 79 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 22 · Jun 14 | Sep 4 · Sep 25 · Oct 9 | 122 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 21 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 27 | 163 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Meadow 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 | Apr 21 – Jun 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95956 is matched to the NOAA station Quincy, CA, 9.7 km away, at 3,420 ft elevation (376 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quincy, CA (used) | 3,420 ft | May 22 | Sep 25 |
| Canyon Dam, CA | 4,560 ft | May 18 | Oct 8 |
| Strawberry Valley, CA | 3,808 ft | May 4 | Oct 30 |
| Chester, CA | 4,530 ft | May 28 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Meadow Valley
- Quincy, CA 95971 · last May 22, first Sep 25
- Twain, CA 95984 · last May 18, first Oct 8
- Belden, CA 95915 · last Apr 17, first Nov 11
- Crescent Mills, CA 95934 · last May 18, first Oct 8
- Storrie, CA 95980 · last Feb 7, first Dec 18
- Strawberry Valley, CA 95981 · last May 12, first Oct 29
- Greenville, CA 95947 · last May 18, first Oct 8
- Taylorsville, CA 95983 · last May 22, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Meadow Valley, CA?
- For ZIP code 95956, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Quincy, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 14.
- When is the first frost in Meadow Valley, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95956?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 122 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.