Washington, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season184 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Washington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Washington falls between April 12 and May 31, a 49-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 34 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 184-day growing season is longer than 27% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 49 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 79 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rocklin, CA, 73 km away, the last frost here is 68 days later than there and the growing season is 99 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
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 Washington, CA
Washington, CA frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Nov 4, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Washington, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Blue Canyon Ap, CA weather station, 12 km away (elevation 5,276 ft (1,608 m)).
Frost dates near Washington
- Emigrant Gap May 22 · Oct 16
- Alta May 4 · Nov 4
- Alleghany Apr 28 · Oct 25
- Nevada City Apr 14 · Nov 20
- Dutch Flat May 4 · Nov 4
- Gold Run Apr 3 · Nov 24
- Goodyears Bar Apr 28 · Oct 25
- Downieville Apr 28 · Oct 25
- Camptonville May 4 · Oct 30
- North San Juan Apr 1 · Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Washington, CA?
The median last spring frost in Washington, CA is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Washington, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Washington, CA?
About 184 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Washington, CA?
Washington, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.