Vinton, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 21median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season133 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Vinton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Vinton falls between April 30 and June 11, a 42-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 9 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 51 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 133-day growing season is longer than 10% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 29 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 140 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Reno, NV, 43 km away, the last frost here is 23 days later than there and the growing season is 49 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 90% (late) | October 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 Vinton, CA
Vinton, CA frost dates — last frost May 21, first frost Oct 1, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 25
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Vinton, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 23 – May 28 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — |
| Basil | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 28 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 4 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Doyle 4 Sse, CA weather station, 20 km away (elevation 4,390 ft (1,338 m)).
Frost dates near Vinton
- Chilcoot May 21 · Oct 1
- Loyalton May 9 · Oct 17
- Beckwourth Jun 11 · Sep 10
- Doyle May 21 · Oct 1
- Portola Jun 11 · Sep 10
- Calpine Jun 11 · Sep 10
- Sierraville frost any month
- Clio Jun 11 · Sep 10
- Herlong May 21 · Oct 1
- Blairsden Graeagle May 21 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Vinton, CA?
The median last spring frost in Vinton, CA is May 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Vinton, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 9.
How long is the growing season in Vinton, CA?
About 133 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Vinton, CA?
Vinton, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.