Mendota, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 12median date
First fall frostNov 30median date
Growing season291 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Mendota compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mendota falls between January 6 and March 17, a 70-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 14 and January 3.
- The median last frost is 47 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 291-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 19 days earlier 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 25 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Madera, CA, 44 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 9 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 6 |
| 50% (median) | February 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 14 |
| 50% (median) | November 30 |
| 90% (late) | January 3 |
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 Mendota, CA
Mendota, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 12, first frost Nov 30, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Nov 20 to Dec 4Transplant outside: Jan 15 to Jan 29
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Jan 22 to Feb 5Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 2
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Jan 15 to Jan 29Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Jan 22 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Sow outdoors: Jan 1 to Jan 22Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 1 to Jan 22Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Sow outdoors: Jan 8 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 9
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 22Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 22Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 12
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 19
Plant for fall: Nov 16 to Dec 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mendota, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Jan 15 – Feb 19 | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Kale | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Okra | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — |
| Basil | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 1 – Jan 22 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 1 – Jan 22 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 8 – Feb 19 | Oct 19 – Nov 9 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 15 – Jan 22 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 15 – Jan 22 | — | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 15 – Jan 22 | — | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 15 – Jan 22 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 22 – Feb 19 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 22 – Feb 19 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 22 – Feb 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 26 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 16 – Dec 21 |
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 Madera Muni Ap, CA weather station, 38 km away (elevation 253 ft (77 m)).
Frost dates near Mendota
- Firebaugh Feb 12 · Nov 30
- Tranquillity Feb 27 · Nov 26
- San Joaquin Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Cantua Creek Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Kerman Feb 18 · Nov 27
- South Dos Palos Jan 26 · Dec 10
- Dos Palos Jan 26 · Dec 10
- Biola Feb 18 · Nov 27
- Helm Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Chowchilla Feb 12 · Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mendota, CA?
The median last spring frost in Mendota, CA is February 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mendota, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 14.
How long is the growing season in Mendota, CA?
About 291 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mendota, CA?
Mendota, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.