Forest Ranch, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostNov 11median date
Growing season208 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Forest Ranch compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Forest Ranch falls between March 23 and May 11, a 49-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 28.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 208-day growing season is longer than 36% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 45 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 63 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chico, CA, 21 km away, the last frost here is 44 days later than there and the growing season is 50 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 23 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 11 |
| 90% (late) | November 28 |
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 Forest Ranch, CA
Forest Ranch, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 17, first frost Nov 11, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Dec 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Forest Ranch, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Sep 16 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 28 – Dec 2 |
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 De Sabla, CA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 2,710 ft (826 m)).
Frost dates near Forest Ranch
- Magalia Apr 17 · Nov 11
- Stirling City Apr 17 · Nov 11
- Paradise Feb 7 · Dec 18
- Chico Mar 4 · Nov 17
- Durham Mar 4 · Nov 17
- Storrie Apr 17 · Nov 11
- Vina Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Hamilton City Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Berry Creek Feb 7 · Dec 18
- Canyon Dam Jan 30 · Dec 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Forest Ranch, CA?
The median last spring frost in Forest Ranch, CA is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Forest Ranch, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Forest Ranch, CA?
About 208 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Forest Ranch, CA?
Forest Ranch, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.