Blue Lake, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 8median date
First fall frostNov 30median date
Growing season267 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Blue Lake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Blue Lake falls between January 13 and April 15, a 92-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and January 4.
- The median last frost is 23 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 267-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 19 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 13 |
| 50% (median) | March 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 30 |
| 90% (late) | January 4 |
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 Blue Lake, CA
Blue Lake, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 8, first frost Nov 30, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 14 to Dec 28Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 2
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 9
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Plant for fall: Nov 16 to Dec 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Blue Lake, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 8 – Mar 15 | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Kale | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Okra | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Basil | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 15 | Oct 19 – Nov 9 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 16 – Dec 21 |
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 Arcata Eureka Ap, CA weather station, 19 km away (elevation 200 ft (61 m)).
Frost dates near Blue Lake
- Mckinleyville Mar 8 · Nov 30
- Arcata Feb 22 · Dec 7
- Korbel Feb 22 · Dec 7
- Bayside Feb 22 · Dec 7
- Willow Creek Mar 8 · Nov 30
- Hoopa Mar 12 · Nov 26
- Trinidad Mar 8 · Nov 30
- Salyer Apr 16 · Oct 31
- Cutten Feb 22 · Dec 7
- Eureka Feb 22 · Dec 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Blue Lake, CA?
The median last spring frost in Blue Lake, CA is March 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Blue Lake, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Blue Lake, CA?
About 267 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Blue Lake, CA?
Blue Lake, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.