Atwater, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 3median date
First fall frostNov 24median date
Growing season266 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Atwater compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Atwater falls between February 2 and April 10, a 67-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 14.
- The median last frost is 28 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 266-day growing season is longer than 64% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9a, where the median is Mar 3.
- The weather station records an average of 24 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Merced, CA, 12 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 2 |
| 50% (median) | March 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 24 |
| 90% (late) | December 14 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Atwater, CA
Atwater, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 3, first frost Nov 24, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 9 to Dec 23Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Plant for fall: Nov 10 to Dec 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Atwater, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Feb 3 – Mar 10 | Sep 29 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Broccoli | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cabbage | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Okra | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Basil | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 27 – Mar 10 | Oct 13 – Nov 3 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 10 – Dec 15 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Merced, CA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 154 ft (47 m)).
Frost dates near Atwater
- Winton Mar 3 · Nov 24
- Cressey Jan 6 · Dec 20
- Livingston Jan 6 · Dec 20
- Merced Feb 26 · Nov 25
- Ballico Jan 6 · Dec 20
- Delhi Jan 6 · Dec 20
- Santa Rita Park Feb 26 · Nov 25
- Stevinson Mar 28 · Nov 14
- El Nido Feb 26 · Nov 25
- Hilmar Jan 6 · Dec 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Atwater, CA?
The median last spring frost in Atwater, CA is March 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Atwater, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Atwater, CA?
About 266 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Atwater, CA?
Atwater, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.