Frost dates for 96112Fort Bidwell, CA
The average last spring frost in Fort Bidwell is May 26 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 127 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 127 days
Safer after Jun 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 205 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) | May 24 · Jun 11 · Jun 27 | Aug 28 · Sep 15 · Oct 1 | 96 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 26 · Jun 13 | Sep 12 · Oct 1 · Oct 16 | 127 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · May 3 · May 28 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Nov 1 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Bidwell
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 25 – Jul 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96112 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Bidwell, CA, 0.9 km away, at 4,739 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Bidwell, CA (used) | 4,739 ft | May 26 | Oct 1 |
| Cedarville, CA | 4,688 ft | May 15 | Oct 1 |
| Denio 52 Wsw, NV | 6,500 ft | Jun 13 | Sep 20 |
| Lakeview 2 Nnw, OR | 4,890 ft | Jun 4 | Sep 17 |
Frost dates near Fort Bidwell
- New Pine Creek, OR 97635 · last May 26, first Oct 1
- Lake City, CA 96115 · last May 15, first Oct 1
- Davis Creek, CA 96108 · last May 26, first Oct 1
- Adel, OR 97620 · last May 26, first Oct 1
- Lakeview, OR 97630 · last Jun 4, first Sep 17
- Cedarville, CA 96104 · last May 15, first Oct 1
- Alturas, CA 96101 · last Jun 3, first Sep 13
- Eagleville, CA 96110 · last May 15, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Bidwell, CA?
- For ZIP code 96112, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Bidwell, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 13.
- When is the first frost in Fort Bidwell, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96112?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 127 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.