Willits, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 5median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Willits compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Willits falls between April 11 and May 31, a 50-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 35 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 17% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 63 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 95 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | May 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Willits, CA
Willits, CA frost dates — last frost May 5, first frost Oct 9, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 9
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Willits, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 7 – May 12 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Basil | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 31 – May 12 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 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 Willits 1 Ne, CA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 1,352 ft (412 m)).
Frost dates near Willits
- Redwood Valley Apr 8 · Nov 6
- Laytonville Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Potter Valley Apr 8 · Nov 6
- Comptche May 5 · Oct 9
- Calpella Mar 19 · Nov 20
- Dos Rios Apr 23 · Oct 19
- Branscomb Mar 2 · Dec 1
- Navarro Mar 19 · Nov 20
- Fort Bragg Mar 2 · Dec 1
- Ukiah Mar 19 · Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Willits, CA?
The median last spring frost in Willits, CA is May 5. 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 Willits, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Willits, CA?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Willits, CA?
Willits, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.