Lee Vining, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 23median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season139 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Lee Vining compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lee Vining falls between May 2 and June 9, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 53 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 139-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 31 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 163 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
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 Lee Vining, CA
Lee Vining, CA frost dates — last frost May 23, first frost Oct 9, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27Sow outdoors: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 20Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 27
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lee Vining, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 2 – May 16 | Apr 25 – May 30 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 9 – May 23 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 9 – May 23 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — |
| Basil | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 30 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 25 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | May 30 – Jun 13 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 25 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 6 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
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 Lee Vining, CA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 6,798 ft (2,072 m)).
Frost dates near Lee Vining
- June Lake Jun 10 · Sep 17
- Bridgeport frost any month
- Mammoth Lakes Jun 10 · Sep 17
- Benton Jun 10 · Sep 17
- Yosemite National Park Apr 21 · Oct 27
- Coleville May 12 · Oct 6
- El Portal May 12 · Nov 1
- Fish Camp May 24 · Oct 10
- Mono Hot Springs Jun 1 · Oct 6
- Pinecrest May 2 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lee Vining, CA?
The median last spring frost in Lee Vining, CA is May 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lee Vining, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Lee Vining, CA?
About 139 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lee Vining, CA?
Lee Vining, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.