Maxwell, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 14median date
First fall frostDec 1median date
Growing season290 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Maxwell compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Maxwell falls between January 2 and March 31, a 88-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 11 and December 26.
- The median last frost is 45 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 290-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier 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 17 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Yuba City, CA, 54 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 2 |
| 50% (median) | February 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 11 |
| 50% (median) | December 1 |
| 90% (late) | December 26 |
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 Maxwell, CA
Maxwell, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 14, first frost Dec 1, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 22 to Dec 6Transplant outside: Jan 17 to Jan 31
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 24 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 17 to Jan 31Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 24 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Sow outdoors: Jan 3 to Jan 24Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 3 to Jan 24Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 24Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 24Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 21
Plant for fall: Nov 17 to Dec 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Maxwell, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 17 – Feb 21 | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Kale | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Broccoli | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Okra | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Basil | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 3 – Jan 24 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 3 – Jan 24 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 10 – Feb 21 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | — | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | — | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 21 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 21 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 28 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 21 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 17 – Dec 22 |
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 Colusa 2 Ssw, CA weather station, 20 km away (elevation 49 ft (15 m)).
Frost dates near Maxwell
- Princeton Feb 21 · Dec 6
- Colusa Feb 14 · Dec 1
- Williams Feb 14 · Dec 1
- Willows Feb 21 · Dec 6
- Butte City Mar 4 · Nov 17
- Stonyford Apr 6 · Nov 10
- Artois Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Glenn Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Arbuckle Feb 14 · Dec 1
- Grimes Feb 14 · Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Maxwell, CA?
The median last spring frost in Maxwell, CA is February 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Maxwell, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 11.
How long is the growing season in Maxwell, CA?
About 290 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Maxwell, CA?
Maxwell, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.