Frost dates for 95973Chico, CA
The average last spring frost in Chico is February 25 and the average first fall frost is December 2, giving a typical growing season of about 279 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 25
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 2
- Growing season
- 279 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 36 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 1 · Apr 3 · Apr 28 | Nov 2 · Nov 17 · Dec 1 | 228 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 19 · Feb 25 · Apr 6 | Nov 17 · Dec 2 · Dec 21 | 279 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 20 · Jan 15 · Feb 24 | Dec 1 · Dec 16 · Jan 18 | 339 days | 84% |
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 | Jan 25 – Apr 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 14 – Jan 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Sep 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Apr 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Oct 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 22 – Dec 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95973 is matched to the NOAA station Orland, CA, 29.1 km away, at 254 ft elevation (21 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orland, CA (used) | 254 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 2 |
| Chico Univ Farm, CA | 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 |
Frost dates near Chico
- Chico, CA 95927 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Hamilton City, CA 95951 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Forest Ranch, CA 95942 · last Apr 17, first Nov 11
- Vina, CA 96092 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Durham, CA 95938 · last Jan 29, first Dec 7
- Paradise, CA 95967 · last Feb 7, first Dec 18
- Glenn, CA 95943 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Magalia, CA 95954 · last Apr 17, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chico, CA?
- For ZIP code 95973, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Orland, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Chico, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95973?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 279 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.