Monte Rio, CA frost dates
Last spring frostJan 29median date
First fall frostDec 30median date
Growing season335 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 3 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Monte Rio compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Monte Rio fall between December 30 and January 29. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as December 1, or the last frost as late as March 17.
- Nearby Santa Rosa, CA, 27 km away, has a regular frost season (last frost Feb 25), a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | December 17 |
| 50% (median) | January 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | December 1 |
| 50% (median) | December 30 |
| 90% (late) | February 27 |
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 Monte Rio, CA
Monte Rio, CA frost dates — last frost Jan 29, first frost Dec 30, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 6 to Nov 20Transplant outside: Jan 1 to Jan 15
Start indoors: Nov 20 to Dec 4Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26
Start indoors: Nov 20 to Dec 4Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Jan 8 to Jan 22Sow outdoors: Jan 1 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Dec 2
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Jan 1 to Jan 15Sow outdoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 11
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Jan 15 to Jan 29Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Jan 8 to Jan 22Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Jan 15 to Jan 29Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19
Sow outdoors: Dec 18 to Jan 8Sow outdoors: Dec 18 to Jan 8Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Sow outdoors: Dec 18 to Jan 8Sow outdoors: Dec 18 to Jan 8Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Nov 25
Sow outdoors: Dec 25 to Feb 5Sow outdoors: Dec 25 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Nov 18 to Dec 9
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 8Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 4
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 8Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26
Sow outdoors: Jan 8 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 8 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 8 to Jan 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Nov 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Oct 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19
Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Mar 5
Plant for fall: Dec 16 to Jan 20Plant for fall: Dec 16 to Jan 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Monte Rio, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 6 – Nov 20 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 1 – Feb 5 | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Kale | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Oct 21 – Nov 11 |
| Broccoli | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | — | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cabbage | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | — | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Okra | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — |
| Basil | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 18 – Jan 8 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 18 – Jan 8 | Nov 4 – Nov 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 25 – Feb 5 | Nov 18 – Dec 9 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Oct 14 – Oct 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Oct 21 – Nov 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 1 – Jan 8 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 8 – Feb 5 | Oct 7 – Oct 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 8 – Feb 5 | Oct 21 – Nov 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 15 – Feb 12 | Oct 21 – Nov 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 15 – Feb 5 | Nov 4 – Nov 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Oct 14 – Oct 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 16 – Jan 20 |
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 Occidental, CA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 866 ft (264 m)).
Frost dates near Monte Rio
- Villa Grande Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Duncans Mills Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Guerneville Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Rio Nido Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Occidental Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Camp Meeker Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Forestville Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Graton Mar 20 · Nov 13
- Bodega Jan 29 · Dec 30
- Bodega Bay Jan 1 · Dec 31
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Monte Rio, CA?
The median last spring frost in Monte Rio, CA is January 29. 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 Monte Rio, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before December 1.
How long is the growing season in Monte Rio, CA?
About 335 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Monte Rio, CA?
Monte Rio, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.