Sierra City, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season170 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Sierra City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sierra City falls between April 22 and June 2, a 41-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 42 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 170-day growing season is longer than 20% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 26 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 127 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Reno, NV, 69 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 12 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Sierra City, CA
Sierra City, CA frost dates — last frost May 12, first frost Oct 29, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sierra City, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
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 Bowman Dam, CA weather station, 16 km away (elevation 5,384 ft (1,641 m)).
Frost dates near Sierra City
- Downieville Apr 28 · Oct 25
- Clio Jun 11 · Sep 10
- Calpine Jun 11 · Sep 10
- Sierraville frost any month
- Alleghany Apr 28 · Oct 25
- Goodyears Bar Apr 28 · Oct 25
- Beckwourth Jun 11 · Sep 10
- Portola Jun 11 · Sep 10
- Washington May 4 · Nov 4
- Emigrant Gap May 22 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sierra City, CA?
The median last spring frost in Sierra City, CA is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sierra City, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Sierra City, CA?
About 170 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sierra City, CA?
Sierra City, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.