Murphys, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 20median date
First fall frostDec 11median date
Growing season294 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Murphys compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Murphys falls between January 10 and April 7, a 87-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 24 and January 8.
- The median last frost is 39 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 294-day growing season is longer than 95% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 11 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 13 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Modesto, CA, 71 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) | January 10 |
| 50% (median) | February 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 24 |
| 50% (median) | December 11 |
| 90% (late) | January 8 |
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 Murphys, CA
Murphys, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 20, first frost Dec 11, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 28 to Dec 12Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 13
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Nov 20
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Plant for fall: Nov 27 to Jan 1Plant for fall: Nov 27 to Jan 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Murphys, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Jan 23 – Feb 27 | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Kale | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Broccoli | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cabbage | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Okra | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — |
| Basil | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 16 – Feb 27 | Oct 30 – Nov 20 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 6 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 27 – Jan 1 |
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 New Melones Dam Hq, CA weather station, 15 km away (elevation 961 ft (293 m)).
Frost dates near Murphys
- Douglas Flat Feb 20 · Dec 11
- Vallecito Feb 20 · Dec 11
- Hathaway Pines May 7 · Oct 28
- Avery May 7 · Oct 28
- Altaville Feb 20 · Dec 11
- Columbia Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Mountain Ranch May 7 · Oct 28
- Angels Camp Feb 20 · Dec 11
- San Andreas Jan 22 · Dec 17
- Sonora Apr 9 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Murphys, CA?
The median last spring frost in Murphys, CA is February 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Murphys, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 24.
How long is the growing season in Murphys, CA?
About 294 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Murphys, CA?
Murphys, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.