Downieville, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season180 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Downieville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Downieville falls between April 13 and May 22, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 28 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 180-day growing season is longer than 25% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 30 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 112 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Reno, NV, 87 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 8 |
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 Downieville, CA
Downieville, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 25, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Downieville, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 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 Downieville, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 2,917 ft (889 m)).
Frost dates near Downieville
- Goodyears Bar Apr 28 · Oct 25
- Alleghany Apr 28 · Oct 25
- Sierra City May 12 · Oct 29
- Strawberry Valley May 4 · Oct 30
- Camptonville May 4 · Oct 30
- Washington May 4 · Nov 4
- Clipper Mills May 4 · Oct 30
- Clio Jun 11 · Sep 10
- North San Juan Apr 1 · Nov 17
- Nevada City Apr 14 · Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Downieville, CA?
The median last spring frost in Downieville, CA is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Downieville, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Downieville, CA?
About 180 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Downieville, CA?
Downieville, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.