Jackson, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 4median date
First fall frostDec 11median date
Growing season282 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Jackson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Jackson falls between January 6 and April 8, a 92-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 19 and January 4.
- The median last frost is 27 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 282-day growing season is longer than 81% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 12 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 15 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Folsom, CA, 50 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) | January 6 |
| 50% (median) | March 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 19 |
| 50% (median) | December 11 |
| 90% (late) | January 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 Jackson, CA
Jackson, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 4, first frost Dec 11, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 13
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Nov 20
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Plant for fall: Nov 27 to Jan 1Plant for fall: Nov 27 to Jan 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Jackson, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 4 – Mar 11 | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Kale | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Broccoli | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Okra | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Basil | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 28 – Mar 11 | Oct 30 – Nov 20 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 27 – Jan 1 |
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 Sutter Hill Cdf, CA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 1,585 ft (483 m)).
Frost dates near Jackson
- Martell Mar 4 · Dec 11
- Sutter Creek Mar 4 · Dec 11
- Amador City Mar 4 · Dec 11
- Pine Grove Mar 4 · Dec 11
- Drytown Mar 4 · Dec 11
- Glencoe Mar 4 · Dec 11
- Ione Jan 22 · Dec 17
- Campo Seco Jan 22 · Dec 17
- Mokelumne Hill May 7 · Oct 28
- Pioneer Mar 4 · Dec 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Jackson, CA?
The median last spring frost in Jackson, CA is March 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Jackson, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 19.
How long is the growing season in Jackson, CA?
About 282 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Jackson, CA?
Jackson, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.