Corning, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 25median date
First fall frostDec 2median date
Growing season280 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Corning compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Corning falls between January 19 and April 6, a 77-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 17 and December 21.
- The median last frost is 34 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 280-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 16 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chico, CA, 35 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 22 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 19 |
| 50% (median) | February 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 17 |
| 50% (median) | December 2 |
| 90% (late) | December 21 |
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 Corning, CA
Corning, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 25, first frost Dec 2, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 4
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 11
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Plant for fall: Nov 18 to Dec 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Corning, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Jan 28 – Mar 4 | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Kale | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Broccoli | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cabbage | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Okra | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Basil | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 21 – Mar 4 | Oct 21 – Nov 11 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 18 – Dec 23 |
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 Orland, CA weather station, 20 km away (elevation 253 ft (77 m)).
Frost dates near Corning
- Tehama Feb 22 · Nov 29
- Gerber Feb 22 · Nov 29
- Vina Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Los Molinos Feb 22 · Nov 29
- Proberta Feb 22 · Nov 29
- Orland Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Flournoy Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Hamilton City Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Red Bluff Feb 22 · Nov 29
- Paskenta Apr 5 · Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Corning, CA?
The median last spring frost in Corning, CA is February 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Corning, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 17.
How long is the growing season in Corning, CA?
About 280 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Corning, CA?
Corning, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.