Frost dates for 96011Big Bend, CA
The average last spring frost in Big Bend is May 29 and the average first fall frost is September 19, giving a typical growing season of about 113 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 29
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 19
- Growing season
- 113 days
Safer after Jun 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 5 (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) | — | — | 77 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 8 · May 29 · Jun 23 | Sep 5 · Sep 19 · Oct 4 | 113 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 6 · Jun 3 | Sep 19 · Oct 4 · Oct 22 | 149 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Big Bend
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 28 – Jul 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – May 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jun 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – May 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 10 – Jun 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Aug 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96011 is matched to the NOAA station Hat Creek, CA, 24.1 km away, at 3,015 ft elevation (148 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hat Creek, CA (used) | 3,015 ft | May 29 | Sep 19 |
| Burney, CA | 3,198 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 14 |
| Mccloud, CA | 3,233 ft | May 28 | Sep 30 |
| Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl, CA | 2,169 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Big Bend
- Montgomery Creek, CA 96065 · last May 29, first Sep 19
- Burney, CA 96013 · last May 29, first Sep 19
- Cassel, CA 96016 · last May 29, first Sep 19
- Round Mountain, CA 96084 · last Apr 23, first Oct 27
- Fall River Mills, CA 96028 · last May 29, first Sep 19
- Bella Vista, CA 96008 · last Feb 8, first Dec 28
- Whitmore, CA 96096 · last May 29, first Sep 19
- Mcarthur, CA 96056 · last May 29, first Sep 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Big Bend, CA?
- For ZIP code 96011, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hat Creek, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 23.
- When is the first frost in Big Bend, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96011?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 113 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.