Forbestown, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Forbestown compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Forbestown falls between April 18 and May 31, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 14.
- The median last frost is 34 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 23% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 62 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 104 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chico, CA, 59 km away, the last frost here is 61 days later than there and the growing season is 79 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 14 |
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 Forbestown, CA
Forbestown, CA frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 30, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Forbestown, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Strawberry Valley, CA weather station, 12 km away (elevation 3,809 ft (1,161 m)).
Frost dates near Forbestown
- Challenge Apr 1 · Nov 17
- Clipper Mills May 4 · Oct 30
- Brownsville Apr 1 · Nov 17
- Feather Falls May 4 · Oct 30
- Rackerby Apr 1 · Nov 17
- Dobbins Apr 1 · Nov 17
- Camptonville May 4 · Oct 30
- Oregon House Apr 1 · Nov 17
- Bangor Apr 1 · Nov 17
- Berry Creek Feb 7 · Dec 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Forbestown, CA?
The median last spring frost in Forbestown, CA is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Forbestown, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Forbestown, CA?
About 179 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Forbestown, CA?
Forbestown, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.