Mad River, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 4median date
First fall frostNov 22median date
Growing season263 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Mad River compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mad River falls between January 27 and April 8, a 71-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 15.
- The median last frost is 27 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 263-day growing season is longer than 61% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 12 days earlier 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 23 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Redding, CA, 93 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 27 |
| 50% (median) | March 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 22 |
| 90% (late) | December 15 |
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 Mad River, CA
Mad River, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 4, first frost Nov 22, zone 8b. 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: Sep 27 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
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: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
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: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Plant for fall: Nov 8 to Dec 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mad River, 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 | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| 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 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 28 – Mar 11 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| 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 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 8 – Dec 13 |
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 Grizzly Creek Sp, CA weather station, 47 km away (elevation 413 ft (126 m)). That is far enough away that your dates may differ, especially if your elevation is different.
Frost dates near Mad River
- Zenia Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Blocksburg Mar 4 · Nov 22
- Alderpoint Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Hayfork Apr 16 · Oct 31
- Hyampom Apr 16 · Oct 31
- Myers Flat Mar 4 · Nov 22
- Phillipsville Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Miranda Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Bridgeville Mar 4 · Nov 22
- Platina May 3 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mad River, CA?
The median last spring frost in Mad River, 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 Mad River, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Mad River, CA?
About 263 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mad River, CA?
Mad River, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.