Frost dates for 96061Mill Creek, CA
The average last spring frost in Mill Creek is June 10 and the average first fall frost is September 13, giving a typical growing season of about 96 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 10
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 13
- Growing season
- 96 days
Safer after Jun 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 226 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) | — | — | 52 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 24 · Jun 10 · Jun 28 | Aug 22 · Sep 13 · Oct 3 | 96 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 29 · May 19 · Jun 9 | Sep 14 · Oct 7 · Oct 26 | 141 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mill Creek
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 | May 10 – Jul 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – May 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 27 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 10 – Jun 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Aug 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jun 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – May 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Jul 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jul 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 27 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 27 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 14 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 4 – Jun 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Aug 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 27 – Jun 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96061 is matched to the NOAA station Mineral, CA, 7.6 km away, at 4,875 ft elevation (144 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral, CA (used) | 4,875 ft | Jun 10 | Sep 13 |
| Chester, CA | 4,530 ft | May 28 | Sep 28 |
| Manzanita Lake, CA | 5,750 ft | Jun 9 | Sep 21 |
| Canyon Dam, CA | 4,560 ft | May 18 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Mill Creek
- Mineral, CA 96063 · last Jun 10, first Sep 13
- Paynes Creek, CA 96075 · last Apr 17, first Nov 11
- Chester, CA 96020 · last May 28, first Sep 28
- Manton, CA 96059 · last May 29, first Sep 19
- Old Station, CA 96071 · last Jun 10, first Sep 13
- Shingletown, CA 96088 · last Jun 3, first Sep 14
- Westwood, CA 96137 · last May 18, first Oct 8
- Belden, CA 95915 · last Apr 17, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mill Creek, CA?
- For ZIP code 96061, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mineral, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 28.
- When is the first frost in Mill Creek, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96061?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 96 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.