Mill Creek, CA frost dates
Last spring frostJun 10median date
First fall frostSep 13median date
Growing season95 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Mill Creek compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mill Creek falls between May 24 and June 28, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 22 and October 3.
- The median last frost is 71 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 95-day growing season is among the shortest of the 636 California places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 55 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 201 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chico, CA, 69 km away, the last frost here is 98 days later than there and the growing season is 163 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 24 |
| 50% (median) | June 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 22 |
| 50% (median) | September 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 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 Mill Creek, CA
Mill Creek, CA frost dates — last frost Jun 10, first frost Sep 13, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 24 to Jul 8
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 24 to Jul 8
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 13Transplant outside: Jul 1 to Jul 15Sow outdoors: Jul 1 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 13Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: May 13 to May 20Transplant outside: Jun 24 to Jul 1Sow outdoors: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Start indoors: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Start indoors: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Start indoors: May 13 to May 20Transplant outside: Jun 24 to Jul 8
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 17
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 24
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Jun 17 to Jul 8
Sow outdoors: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Transplant outside: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Oct 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mill Creek, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 13 – Jun 17 | Jul 19 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 1 – Jul 15 | Jul 1 – Jul 15 | — |
| Basil | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 6 – Jun 17 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cucumbers | May 13 – May 20 | Jun 24 – Jul 1 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 13 – May 20 | — | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 95 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 13 – May 20 | — | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon Warning: Your frost-free season is about 95 days, which is tight for melons & watermelon (85+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 13 – May 20 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 20 – Jun 17 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 20 – Jun 17 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 27 – Jun 24 | — |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 17 – Jul 8 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 95 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
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 Mineral, CA weather station, 8 km away (elevation 4,875 ft (1,486 m)).
Frost dates near Mill Creek
- Mineral Jun 10 · Sep 13
- Paynes Creek Jun 10 · Sep 13
- Chester May 28 · Sep 28
- Manton Jun 10 · Sep 13
- Old Station Jun 9 · Sep 21
- Shingletown Jun 9 · Sep 21
- Westwood May 18 · Oct 8
- Belden May 18 · Oct 8
- Twain May 18 · Oct 8
- Stirling City Apr 17 · Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mill Creek, CA?
The median last spring frost in Mill Creek, CA is June 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mill Creek, CA?
The median first fall frost is September 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 22.
How long is the growing season in Mill Creek, CA?
About 95 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mill Creek, CA?
Mill Creek, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.