Riverdale, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 24median date
First fall frostNov 22median date
Growing season271 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Riverdale compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Riverdale falls between January 21 and March 30, a 68-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 3 and December 10.
- The median last frost is 35 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 271-day growing season is longer than 69% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 29 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Hanford, CA, 23 km away, the last frost here is 17 days later than there and the growing season is 26 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 21 |
| 50% (median) | February 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 3 |
| 50% (median) | November 22 |
| 90% (late) | December 10 |
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 Riverdale, CA
Riverdale, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 24, first frost Nov 22, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Jan 27 to Feb 10
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Jan 27 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 13 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 13 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 3Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 3Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Plant for fall: Nov 8 to Dec 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Riverdale, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Jan 27 – Mar 3 | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Okra | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — |
| Basil | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 13 – Feb 3 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 13 – Feb 3 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 20 – Mar 3 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 3 – Mar 3 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 3 – Mar 3 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 8 – Dec 13 |
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 Lemoore Reeves Nas, CA weather station, 13 km away (elevation 233 ft (71 m)).
Frost dates near Riverdale
- Caruthers Feb 24 · Nov 22
- Laton Feb 7 · Dec 1
- Burrel Jan 30 · Dec 11
- Raisin City Jan 30 · Dec 11
- Armona Feb 7 · Dec 1
- Hanford Feb 7 · Dec 1
- Helm Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Five Points Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Lemoore Feb 24 · Nov 22
- Selma Jan 30 · Dec 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Riverdale, CA?
The median last spring frost in Riverdale, CA is February 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Riverdale, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 3.
How long is the growing season in Riverdale, CA?
About 271 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Riverdale, CA?
Riverdale, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.