Frost dates for 96078Proberta, CA
The average last spring frost in Proberta is February 22 and the average first fall frost is November 29, giving a typical growing season of about 281 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 29
- Growing season
- 281 days
Safer after Mar 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 12 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 33 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 · Mar 30 · Apr 19 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Nov 30 | 231 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 17 · Feb 22 · Mar 30 | Nov 12 · Nov 29 · Dec 18 | 281 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 18 · Jan 13 · Feb 21 | Nov 28 · Dec 15 · Jan 12 | 336 days | 86% |
Planting calendar for Proberta
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 22 – Mar 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 10 – Aug 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 22 – Feb 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 – Apr 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 – Aug 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Mar 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 11 – Jan 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Apr 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Mar 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Feb 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 19 – Dec 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96078 is matched to the NOAA station Red Bluff Muni Ap, CA, 10.5 km away, at 353 ft elevation (97 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bluff Muni Ap, CA (used) | 353 ft | Feb 22 | Nov 29 |
| Orland, CA | 254 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 2 |
| Redding Muni Ap, CA | 497 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 21 |
| Chico Univ Farm, CA | 185 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Proberta
- Gerber, CA 96035 · last Feb 22, first Nov 29
- Los Molinos, CA 96055 · last Feb 22, first Nov 29
- Tehama, CA 96090 · last Feb 22, first Nov 29
- Red Bluff, CA 96080 · last Feb 22, first Nov 29
- Corning, CA 96021 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Vina, CA 96092 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Flournoy, CA 96029 · last Apr 5, first Nov 13
- Cottonwood, CA 96022 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Proberta, CA?
- For ZIP code 96078, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Red Bluff Muni Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 30.
- When is the first frost in Proberta, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96078?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 281 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.