Hat Creek, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 29median date
First fall frostSep 19median date
Growing season113 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Hat Creek compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hat Creek falls between May 8 and June 23, a 46-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 5 and October 4.
- The median last frost is 59 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 113-day growing season is longer than 5% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 43 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 179 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Redding, CA, 77 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) | May 8 |
| 50% (median) | May 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 5 |
| 50% (median) | September 19 |
| 90% (late) | October 4 |
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 Hat Creek, CA
Hat Creek, CA frost dates — last frost May 29, first frost Sep 19, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 1 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jun 13 to Jul 4
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 13 to Jul 4
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jun 13 to Jul 4
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 3Sow outdoors: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 11
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jul 3
Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hat Creek, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 8 – May 22 | May 1 – Jun 5 | Jul 25 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jun 13 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 13 – Jul 4 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jun 13 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — |
| Basil | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 24 – Jun 5 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cucumbers | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 113 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jun 27 – Jul 11 |
| Beets | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 113 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 12 – Jul 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 5 – Oct 10 |
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 Hat Creek, CA weather station, 19 km away (elevation 3,015 ft (919 m)).
Frost dates near Hat Creek
- Old Station Jun 9 · Sep 21
- Cassel May 29 · Sep 19
- Burney Jun 3 · Sep 14
- Fall River Mills May 29 · Sep 19
- Mcarthur May 29 · Sep 19
- Whitmore Jun 9 · Sep 21
- Big Bend Jun 3 · Sep 14
- Round Mountain Jun 3 · Sep 14
- Montgomery Creek Jun 3 · Sep 14
- Nubieber May 28 · Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hat Creek, CA?
The median last spring frost in Hat Creek, CA is May 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hat Creek, CA?
The median first fall frost is September 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 5.
How long is the growing season in Hat Creek, CA?
About 113 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hat Creek, CA?
Hat Creek, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.