Graton, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 20median date
First fall frostNov 13median date
Growing season238 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Graton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Graton falls between February 12 and April 19, a 66-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 238-day growing season is longer than 51% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 17 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 43 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Santa Rosa, CA, 14 km away, the last frost here is 23 days later than there and the growing season is 41 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 13 |
| 90% (late) | December 6 |
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 Graton, CA
Graton, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 13, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Dec 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Graton, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 20 – Mar 27 | Sep 18 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Okra | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Basil | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 27 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 30 – Dec 4 |
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 Graton, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 200 ft (61 m)).
Frost dates near Graton
- Sebastopol Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Camp Meeker Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Forestville Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Fulton Mar 2 · Nov 20
- Occidental Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Bodega Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Windsor Mar 2 · Nov 20
- Rio Nido Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Monte Rio Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Guerneville Jan 29 · Dec 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Graton, CA?
The median last spring frost in Graton, CA is March 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Graton, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Graton, CA?
About 238 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Graton, CA?
Graton, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.