Pinecrest, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season186 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Pinecrest compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pinecrest falls between April 14 and May 29, a 45-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 22.
- The median last frost is 32 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 186-day growing season is longer than 28% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 87 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Modesto, CA, 106 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 14 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 22 |
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 Pinecrest, CA
Pinecrest, CA frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Nov 4, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pinecrest, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Cherry Valley Dam, CA weather station, 25 km away (elevation 4,764 ft (1,452 m)).
Frost dates near Pinecrest
- Strawberry May 2 · Nov 4
- Long Barn May 2 · Nov 4
- Mi Wuk Village Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Twain Harte Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Arnold May 7 · Oct 28
- Soulsbyville Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Hathaway Pines May 7 · Oct 28
- Tuolumne Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Avery May 7 · Oct 28
- Sonora Apr 9 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pinecrest, CA?
The median last spring frost in Pinecrest, CA is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Pinecrest, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Pinecrest, CA?
About 186 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pinecrest, CA?
Pinecrest, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.