Lewiston, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season182 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Lewiston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lewiston falls between April 3 and May 11, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 23 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 182-day growing season is longer than 27% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 38 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 78 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Redding, CA, 43 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) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 22 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Lewiston, CA
Lewiston, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 22, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lewiston, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 8 – Nov 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 Trinity Rvr Hatchery, CA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 1,860 ft (567 m)).
Frost dates near Lewiston
- Weaverville May 3 · Oct 11
- Douglas City May 3 · Oct 11
- French Gulch Mar 19 · Nov 22
- Junction City May 3 · Oct 11
- Whiskeytown Feb 13 · Dec 13
- Big Bar Apr 16 · Oct 31
- Shasta Feb 13 · Dec 13
- Hayfork Apr 16 · Oct 31
- Trinity Center May 20 · Oct 5
- Igo Feb 13 · Dec 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lewiston, CA?
The median last spring frost in Lewiston, CA is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lewiston, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Lewiston, CA?
About 182 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lewiston, CA?
Lewiston, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.