Garden Valley, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 12median date
First fall frostNov 21median date
Growing season223 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Garden Valley compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Garden Valley falls between March 13 and May 10, a 58-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and December 9.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 223-day growing season is longer than 45% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 40 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 49 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Folsom, CA, 34 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) | March 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 21 |
| 90% (late) | December 9 |
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 Garden Valley, CA
Garden Valley, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 12, first frost Nov 21, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 17
Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Dec 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Garden Valley, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Sep 26 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Okra | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Basil | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 19 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — | — |
| 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 Georgetown Rs, CA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 3,002 ft (915 m)).
Frost dates near Garden Valley
- Greenwood Apr 12 · Nov 21
- Lotus Apr 12 · Nov 21
- Coloma Mar 31 · Nov 21
- Georgetown Apr 12 · Nov 21
- Cool Feb 25 · Dec 5
- Pilot Hill Feb 25 · Dec 5
- Placerville Mar 31 · Nov 21
- Applegate Apr 3 · Nov 24
- Rescue Mar 31 · Nov 21
- Diamond Springs Mar 31 · Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Garden Valley, CA?
The median last spring frost in Garden Valley, CA is April 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Garden Valley, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Garden Valley, CA?
About 223 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Garden Valley, CA?
Garden Valley, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.