Standard, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 9median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season214 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Standard compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Standard falls between March 15 and April 30, a 46-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 19 and November 27.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 214-day growing season is longer than 41% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 37 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 66 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Modesto, CA, 69 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) | March 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 19 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 27 |
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 Standard, CA
Standard, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 9, first frost Nov 9, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 14
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Standard, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 12 – Apr 16 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Basil | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 16 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Sonora, CA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 1,677 ft (511 m)).
Frost dates near Standard
- Sonora Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Soulsbyville Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Tuolumne Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Columbia Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Twain Harte Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Chinese Camp Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Mi Wuk Village Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Jamestown Apr 9 · Nov 9
- Big Oak Flat Apr 22 · Nov 2
- Moccasin Apr 22 · Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Standard, CA?
The median last spring frost in Standard, CA is April 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Standard, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 19.
How long is the growing season in Standard, CA?
About 214 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Standard, CA?
Standard, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.