Orleans, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 12median date
First fall frostNov 26median date
Growing season259 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Orleans compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Orleans falls between January 26 and April 9, a 73-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 21.
- The median last frost is 19 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 259-day growing season is longer than 59% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later 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 25 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 26 |
| 50% (median) | March 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 26 |
| 90% (late) | December 21 |
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 Orleans, CA
Orleans, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 12, first frost Nov 26, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Plant for fall: Nov 12 to Dec 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Orleans, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Broccoli | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Okra | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Basil | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 19 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 12 – Dec 17 |
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 Orleans, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 404 ft (123 m)).
Frost dates near Orleans
- Somes Bar Mar 12 · Nov 26
- Forks Of Salmon Apr 27 · Oct 21
- Hoopa Mar 12 · Nov 26
- Willow Creek Mar 8 · Nov 30
- Orick Apr 12 · Nov 6
- Etna May 20 · Oct 5
- Salyer Apr 16 · Oct 31
- Blue Lake Mar 8 · Nov 30
- Klamath Mar 16 · Nov 20
- Happy Camp May 1 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Orleans, CA?
The median last spring frost in Orleans, CA is March 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Orleans, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Orleans, CA?
About 259 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Orleans, CA?
Orleans, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.