Frost dates for 95986Washington, CA
The average last spring frost in Washington is April 14 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 218 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 218 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (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) | Apr 12 · Apr 30 · May 23 | Oct 10 · Nov 2 · Nov 21 | 184 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 14 · May 7 | Oct 23 · Nov 20 · Dec 12 | 218 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 24 · Mar 17 · Apr 18 | Nov 12 · Dec 8 · Jan 19 | 268 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Washington
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95986 is matched to the NOAA station Nevada City, CA, 21.2 km away, at 2,781 ft elevation (94 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada City, CA (used) | 2,781 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 20 |
| Blue Canyon Ap, CA | 5,276 ft | May 4 | Nov 4 |
| Lake Spaulding, CA | 5,156 ft | May 22 | Oct 16 |
| Bowman Dam, CA | 5,385 ft | May 12 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Washington
- Emigrant Gap, CA 95715 · last May 4, first Nov 4
- Alta, CA 95701 · last May 4, first Nov 4
- Alleghany, CA 95910 · last May 12, first Oct 29
- Nevada City, CA 95959 · last Apr 14, first Nov 20
- Dutch Flat, CA 95714 · last Apr 14, first Nov 20
- Gold Run, CA 95717 · last Apr 14, first Nov 20
- Goodyears Bar, CA 95944 · last Apr 28, first Oct 25
- Downieville, CA 95936 · last May 4, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Washington, CA?
- For ZIP code 95986, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Nevada City, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Washington, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95986?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 218 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.