Frost dates for 96126Sierraville, CA
The average last spring frost in Sierraville is June 11 and the average first fall frost is September 10, giving a typical growing season of about 91 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 11
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 10
- Growing season
- 91 days
Safer after Jul 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 220 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) | — | — | 45 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 25 · Jun 11 · Jul 2 | Aug 22 · Sep 10 · Sep 28 | 91 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 28 · May 17 · Jun 4 | Sep 13 · Oct 1 · Oct 18 | 136 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sierraville
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 11 – Jul 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – May 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – May 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Aug 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jun 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – May 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 4 – Jul 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 11 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 1 – May 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Aug 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96126 is matched to the NOAA station Portola, CA, 26.2 km away, at 4,850 ft elevation (127 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portola, CA (used) | 4,850 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 10 |
| Sagehen Creek, CA | 6,337 ft | — | — |
| Bowman Dam, CA | 5,385 ft | May 12 | Oct 29 |
| Verdi 2W, CA | 5,429 ft | May 9 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Sierraville
- Calpine, CA 96124 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
- Loyalton, CA 96118 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
- Beckwourth, CA 96129 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
- Sierra City, CA 96125 · last May 12, first Oct 29
- Portola, CA 96122 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
- Clio, CA 96106 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
- Norden, CA 95724 · last —, first —
- Vinton, CA 96135 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sierraville, CA?
- For ZIP code 96126, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Portola, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after July 2.
- When is the first frost in Sierraville, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 10. 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 96126?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 91 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.