Durham, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 4median date
First fall frostNov 17median date
Growing season258 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Durham compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Durham falls between February 8 and April 2, a 53-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 5.
- The median last frost is 27 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 258-day growing season is longer than 58% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9a, where the median is Mar 3.
- The weather station records an average of 40 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Durham shares its weather station with Chico, CA, 15 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 8 |
| 50% (median) | March 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 17 |
| 90% (late) | December 5 |
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 Durham, CA
Durham, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 4, first frost Nov 17, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Plant for fall: Nov 3 to Dec 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Durham, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 4 – Mar 11 | Sep 22 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Okra | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Basil | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 28 – Mar 11 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 3 – Dec 8 |
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 Chico Univ Farm, CA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 184 ft (56 m)).
Frost dates near Durham
- Nelson Jan 29 · Dec 7
- Chico Mar 4 · Nov 17
- Richvale Jan 29 · Dec 7
- Paradise Feb 7 · Dec 18
- Canyon Dam Jan 30 · Dec 13
- Glenn Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Hamilton City Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Butte City Mar 4 · Nov 17
- Oroville Jan 30 · Dec 13
- Biggs Jan 29 · Dec 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Durham, CA?
The median last spring frost in Durham, CA is March 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Durham, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Durham, CA?
About 258 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Durham, CA?
Durham, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.