Mount Shasta, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 15median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season144 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Mount Shasta compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mount Shasta falls between April 29 and June 5, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 45 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 144-day growing season is longer than 13% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 47 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 134 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Redding, CA, 76 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 29 |
| 50% (median) | May 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
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 Mount Shasta, CA
Mount Shasta, CA frost dates — last frost May 15, first frost Oct 6, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 19
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mount Shasta, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 17 – May 22 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Basil | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 22 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 Mt Shasta, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 3,612 ft (1,101 m)).
Frost dates near Mount Shasta
- Dunsmuir Apr 23 · Oct 27
- Weed May 6 · Oct 12
- Mccloud May 28 · Sep 30
- Castella Apr 23 · Oct 27
- Gazelle Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Grenada Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Callahan May 20 · Oct 5
- Trinity Center May 20 · Oct 5
- Lakehead Feb 8 · Dec 28
- Montague May 12 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mount Shasta, CA?
The median last spring frost in Mount Shasta, CA is May 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mount Shasta, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Mount Shasta, CA?
About 144 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mount Shasta, CA?
Mount Shasta, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.