Smith River, CA frost dates
Last spring frostJan 31median date
First fall frostDec 27median date
Growing season330 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 2 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Smith River compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Smith River fall between December 27 and January 31. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as November 24, or the last frost as late as March 20.
- Nearby Medford, OR, 114 km away, has a regular frost season (last frost Apr 8), a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | December 14 |
| 50% (median) | January 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 24 |
| 50% (median) | December 27 |
| 90% (late) | February 19 |
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 Smith River, CA
Smith River, CA frost dates — last frost Jan 31, first frost Dec 27, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 8 to Nov 22Transplant outside: Jan 3 to Jan 17
Start indoors: Nov 22 to Dec 6Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28
Start indoors: Nov 22 to Dec 6Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 10 to Jan 24Sow outdoors: Jan 3 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Nov 29
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 3 to Jan 17Sow outdoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 8
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 17 to Jan 31Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 10 to Jan 24Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 17 to Jan 31Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Sow outdoors: Dec 20 to Jan 10Sow outdoors: Dec 20 to Jan 10Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Dec 20 to Jan 10Sow outdoors: Dec 20 to Jan 10Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Nov 22
Sow outdoors: Dec 27 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Dec 27 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Nov 15 to Dec 6
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 10Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 10Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Jan 31
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Nov 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Mar 7
Plant for fall: Dec 13 to Jan 17Plant for fall: Dec 13 to Jan 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Smith River, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Jan 3 – Feb 7 | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Kale | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
| Broccoli | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cabbage | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Okra | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — |
| Basil | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 20 – Jan 10 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 20 – Jan 10 | Nov 1 – Nov 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 27 – Feb 7 | Nov 15 – Dec 6 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Oct 18 – Nov 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 10 – Feb 7 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 10 – Feb 7 | Oct 18 – Nov 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 10 – Jan 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 14 | Oct 18 – Nov 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Nov 1 – Nov 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Oct 11 – Oct 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 13 – Jan 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 Brookings 2 Se, OR weather station, 12 km away (elevation 49 ft (15 m)).
Frost dates near Smith River
- Fort Dick Mar 11 · Nov 23
- Crescent City Mar 11 · Nov 23
- Gasquet May 1 · Oct 12
- Klamath Mar 16 · Nov 20
- Orick Apr 12 · Nov 6
- Happy Camp May 1 · Oct 12
- Seiad Valley May 4 · Oct 13
- Somes Bar Mar 12 · Nov 26
- Orleans Mar 12 · Nov 26
- Trinidad Mar 8 · Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Smith River, CA?
The median last spring frost in Smith River, CA is January 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Smith River, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 24.
How long is the growing season in Smith River, CA?
About 330 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Smith River, CA?
Smith River, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.