Castella, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season187 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Castella compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Castella falls between April 5 and May 12, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 23 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 187-day growing season is longer than 28% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 38 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 105 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Redding, CA, 54 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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 Castella, CA
Castella, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 27, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Castella, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl, CA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 2,169 ft (661 m)).
Frost dates near Castella
- Dunsmuir Apr 23 · Oct 27
- Mccloud May 28 · Sep 30
- Mount Shasta May 15 · Oct 6
- Lakehead Feb 8 · Dec 28
- Trinity Center May 20 · Oct 5
- Weed May 6 · Oct 12
- Montgomery Creek Jun 3 · Sep 14
- Obrien Feb 8 · Dec 28
- Big Bend Jun 3 · Sep 14
- Bella Vista Feb 8 · Dec 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Castella, CA?
The median last spring frost in Castella, CA is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Castella, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Castella, CA?
About 187 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Castella, CA?
Castella, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.