El Dorado, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 21median date
Growing season235 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How El Dorado compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in El Dorado falls between February 24 and April 23, a 58-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 7.
- The median last frost is the same as the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 235-day growing season is longer than 49% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 39 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 30 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Folsom, CA, 28 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) | February 24 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 21 |
| 90% (late) | December 7 |
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 El Dorado, CA
El Dorado, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 21, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Dec 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in El Dorado, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 26 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 7 – Dec 12 |
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 Placerville, CA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 1,850 ft (564 m)).
Frost dates near El Dorado
- Diamond Springs Mar 31 · Nov 21
- Shingle Springs Mar 31 · Nov 21
- Placerville Mar 31 · Nov 21
- River Pines Mar 31 · Nov 21
- Mount Aukum Mar 31 · Nov 21
- Rescue Mar 31 · Nov 21
- Plymouth Mar 4 · Dec 11
- Coloma Mar 31 · Nov 21
- Fiddletown Mar 4 · Dec 11
- El Dorado Hills Mar 31 · Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in El Dorado, CA?
The median last spring frost in El Dorado, CA is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in El Dorado, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in El Dorado, CA?
About 235 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is El Dorado, CA?
El Dorado, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.