Chester, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 28median date
First fall frostSep 28median date
Growing season123 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Chester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chester falls between May 7 and June 13, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 12 and October 14.
- The median last frost is 58 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 123-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 42 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 188 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chico, CA, 80 km away, the last frost here is 85 days later than there and the growing season is 135 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 7 |
| 50% (median) | May 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 12 |
| 50% (median) | September 28 |
| 90% (late) | October 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 Chester, CA
Chester, CA frost dates — last frost May 28, first frost Sep 28, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 18 to Jul 2Sow outdoors: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 7Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 18Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 7Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 25Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jul 2
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chester, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 7 – May 21 | Apr 30 – Jun 4 | Aug 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — |
| Basil | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 23 – Jun 4 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 30 – May 7 | Jun 11 – Jun 18 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 30 – May 7 | — | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 30 – May 7 | — | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 30 – May 7 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 14 – Jun 11 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 4 – Jun 25 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 11 – Jul 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
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 Chester, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 4,531 ft (1,381 m)).
Frost dates near Chester
- Westwood May 18 · Oct 8
- Mill Creek Jun 10 · Sep 13
- Twain May 18 · Oct 8
- Mineral Jun 10 · Sep 13
- Greenville May 18 · Oct 8
- Belden May 18 · Oct 8
- Crescent Mills May 22 · Sep 25
- Old Station Jun 9 · Sep 21
- Storrie Apr 17 · Nov 11
- Meadow Valley May 22 · Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chester, CA?
The median last spring frost in Chester, CA is May 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chester, CA?
The median first fall frost is September 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 12.
How long is the growing season in Chester, CA?
About 123 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chester, CA?
Chester, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.