Mariposa, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 24median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season139 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Mariposa compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mariposa falls between May 3 and June 11, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 54 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 82 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 159 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Merced, CA, 55 km away, the last frost here is 87 days later than there and the growing season is 133 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 3 |
| 50% (median) | May 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Mariposa, CA
Mariposa, CA frost dates — last frost May 24, first frost Oct 10, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 28
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mariposa, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | Apr 26 – May 31 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Basil | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 31 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 So Entrance Yosemite Np, CA weather station, 26 km away (elevation 5,046 ft (1,538 m)).
Frost dates near Mariposa
- Midpines May 12 · Nov 1
- Ahwahnee May 24 · Oct 10
- Catheys Valley Feb 26 · Nov 25
- El Portal May 12 · Nov 1
- Raymond Apr 24 · Nov 4
- Fish Camp May 24 · Oct 10
- Oakhurst Apr 24 · Nov 4
- Coulterville Apr 22 · Nov 2
- Hornitos Mar 3 · Nov 24
- Coarsegold Apr 24 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mariposa, CA?
The median last spring frost in Mariposa, CA is May 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mariposa, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Mariposa, CA?
About 139 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mariposa, CA?
Mariposa, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.