Elk, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 2median date
First fall frostDec 1median date
Growing season274 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Elk compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elk falls between January 8 and April 6, a 88-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 9 and January 11.
- The median last frost is 29 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 274-day growing season is longer than 73% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 12 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Santa Rosa, CA, 118 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 8 |
| 50% (median) | March 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 9 |
| 50% (median) | December 1 |
| 90% (late) | January 11 |
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 Elk, CA
Elk, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 2, first frost Dec 1, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 8 to Dec 22Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Plant for fall: Nov 17 to Dec 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elk, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 8 – Dec 22 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Feb 2 – Mar 9 | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Kale | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Broccoli | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Okra | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Basil | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 19 – Feb 9 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 19 – Feb 9 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 26 – Mar 9 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 9 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 9 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 17 – Dec 22 |
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 Ft Bragg 5 N, CA weather station, 39 km away (elevation 125 ft (38 m)).
Frost dates near Elk
- Albion Mar 2 · Dec 1
- Little River Mar 2 · Dec 1
- Navarro Mar 19 · Nov 20
- Comptche May 5 · Oct 9
- Manchester Mar 5 · Nov 21
- Mendocino Mar 2 · Dec 1
- Caspar Mar 2 · Dec 1
- Philo Mar 5 · Nov 21
- Point Arena Mar 5 · Nov 21
- Fort Bragg Mar 2 · Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elk, CA?
The median last spring frost in Elk, CA is March 2. 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 Elk, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 9.
How long is the growing season in Elk, CA?
About 274 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elk, CA?
Elk, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.