Orick, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 12median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season208 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Orick compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Orick falls between March 12 and May 5, a 54-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 208-day growing season is longer than 36% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 51 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 44 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 90% (late) | December 6 |
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 Orick, CA
Orick, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 12, first frost Nov 6, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 17
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Orick, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Sep 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Okra | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Basil | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 19 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 23 – Nov 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 Orick Prairie Creek Park, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 161 ft (49 m)).
Frost dates near Orick
- Klamath Mar 16 · Nov 20
- Trinidad Mar 8 · Nov 30
- Orleans Mar 12 · Nov 26
- Hoopa Mar 12 · Nov 26
- Mckinleyville Mar 8 · Nov 30
- Crescent City Mar 11 · Nov 23
- Blue Lake Mar 8 · Nov 30
- Somes Bar Mar 12 · Nov 26
- Arcata Feb 22 · Dec 7
- Willow Creek Mar 8 · Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Orick, CA?
The median last spring frost in Orick, CA is April 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Orick, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Orick, CA?
About 208 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Orick, CA?
Orick, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.