Frost dates for 96121Milford, CA
The average last spring frost in Milford is May 16 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after Jun 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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 18 · Jun 4 · Jun 18 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 114 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 16 · Jun 5 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 26 · May 17 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milford
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96121 is matched to the NOAA station Susanville 2Sw, CA, 34.9 km away, at 4,212 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susanville 2Sw, CA (used) | 4,212 ft | May 16 | Oct 8 |
| Doyle 4 Sse, CA | 4,390 ft | May 21 | Oct 1 |
| Portola, CA | 4,850 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 10 |
| Quincy, CA | 3,420 ft | May 22 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Milford
- Janesville, CA 96114 · last May 16, first Oct 8
- Blairsden Graeagle, CA 96103 · last May 21, first Oct 1
- Standish, CA 96128 · last May 16, first Oct 8
- Herlong, CA 96113 · last May 21, first Oct 1
- Wendel, CA 96136 · last May 16, first Oct 8
- Litchfield, CA 96117 · last May 16, first Oct 8
- Doyle, CA 96109 · last May 21, first Oct 1
- Susanville, CA 96130 · last May 16, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milford, CA?
- For ZIP code 96121, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Susanville 2Sw, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 5.
- When is the first frost in Milford, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96121?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 143 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.