French Gulch, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 19median date
First fall frostNov 22median date
Growing season248 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How French Gulch compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in French Gulch falls between February 17 and April 11, a 53-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 4 and December 13.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 248-day growing season is longer than 55% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 16 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 29 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Redding, CA, 24 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 17 |
| 50% (median) | March 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 4 |
| 50% (median) | November 22 |
| 90% (late) | December 13 |
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 French Gulch, CA
French Gulch, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 19, first frost Nov 22, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Plant for fall: Nov 8 to Dec 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in French Gulch, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Okra | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Basil | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 26 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 8 – Dec 13 |
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 Redding 12 Wnw, CA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 1,417 ft (432 m)).
Frost dates near French Gulch
- Whiskeytown Feb 13 · Dec 13
- Shasta Feb 13 · Dec 13
- Lewiston Apr 23 · Oct 22
- Shasta Lake Feb 8 · Dec 28
- Redding Feb 8 · Dec 28
- Weaverville May 3 · Oct 11
- Douglas City May 3 · Oct 11
- Lakehead Feb 8 · Dec 28
- Igo Feb 13 · Dec 13
- Palo Cedro Mar 3 · Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in French Gulch, CA?
The median last spring frost in French Gulch, CA is March 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in French Gulch, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 4.
How long is the growing season in French Gulch, CA?
About 248 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is French Gulch, CA?
French Gulch, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.