Frost dates for 96033French Gulch, CA
The average last spring frost in French Gulch is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 25 · May 11 · Jun 1 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 22 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 23 · May 11 | Oct 4 · Oct 22 · Nov 13 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 28 · Apr 19 | Oct 17 · Nov 6 · Dec 9 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for French Gulch
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96033 is matched to the NOAA station Trinity Rvr Hatchery, CA, 14.7 km away, at 1,861 ft elevation (285 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Rvr Hatchery, CA (used) | 1,861 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 22 |
| Redding 12 Wnw, CA | 1,418 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 22 |
| Whiskeytown Rsvr, CA | 1,295 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 13 |
| Shasta Dam, CA | 1,075 ft | Feb 8 | Dec 28 |
Frost dates near French Gulch
- Whiskeytown, CA 96095 · last Feb 13, first Dec 13
- Shasta, CA 96087 · last Feb 13, first Dec 13
- Shasta Lake, CA 96089 · last Feb 8, first Dec 28
- Lewiston, CA 96052 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Redding, CA 96099 · last Feb 8, first Dec 28
- Weaverville, CA 96093 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Douglas City, CA 96024 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Lakehead, CA 96051 · last Apr 23, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in French Gulch, CA?
- For ZIP code 96033, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Trinity Rvr Hatchery, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in French Gulch, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96033?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.