Willows, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 21median date
First fall frostDec 6median date
Growing season288 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Willows compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Willows falls between January 4 and April 9, a 95-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 16 and December 29.
- The median last frost is 38 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 288-day growing season is longer than 88% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9b, where the median is Feb 20.
- The weather station records an average of 23 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chico, CA, 43 km away, the last frost here is 11 days earlier than there and the growing season is 30 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 4 |
| 50% (median) | February 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 16 |
| 50% (median) | December 6 |
| 90% (late) | December 29 |
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 Willows, CA
Willows, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 21, first frost Dec 6, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 29 to Dec 13Transplant outside: Jan 24 to Feb 7
Start indoors: Dec 13 to Dec 27Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Dec 13 to Dec 27Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 8
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Jan 24 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Jan 31Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Jan 31Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 15
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Jan 31Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Jan 31Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Plant for fall: Nov 22 to Dec 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Willows, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Jan 24 – Feb 28 | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Kale | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Broccoli | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cabbage | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Okra | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — |
| Basil | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 10 – Jan 31 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 10 – Jan 31 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 28 | Oct 25 – Nov 15 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 24 – Jan 31 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 28 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 28 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 22 – Dec 27 |
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 Willows 6 W, CA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 233 ft (71 m)).
Frost dates near Willows
- Artois Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Glenn Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Orland Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Princeton Feb 21 · Dec 6
- Maxwell Feb 14 · Dec 1
- Butte City Mar 4 · Nov 17
- Elk Creek Apr 5 · Nov 13
- Hamilton City Feb 25 · Dec 2
- Stonyford Apr 6 · Nov 10
- Colusa Feb 14 · Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Willows, CA?
The median last spring frost in Willows, CA is February 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Willows, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 16.
How long is the growing season in Willows, CA?
About 288 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Willows, CA?
Willows, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.