Yosemite National Park, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Yosemite National Park compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Yosemite National Park falls between April 3 and May 13, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 21 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 29% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 106 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Merced, CA, 89 km away, the last frost here is 54 days later than there and the growing season is 83 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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 Yosemite National Park, CA
Yosemite National Park, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 27, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Yosemite National Park, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Yosemite Park Hq, CA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 4,019 ft (1,225 m)).
Frost dates near Yosemite National Park
- El Portal May 12 · Nov 1
- Fish Camp May 24 · Oct 10
- Midpines May 12 · Nov 1
- Mariposa May 24 · Oct 10
- Ahwahnee May 24 · Oct 10
- Coulterville Apr 22 · Nov 2
- Groveland Apr 22 · Nov 2
- Oakhurst Apr 24 · Nov 4
- Bass Lake Apr 24 · Nov 4
- June Lake Jun 10 · Sep 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Yosemite National Park, CA?
The median last spring frost in Yosemite National Park, CA is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Yosemite National Park, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Yosemite National Park, CA?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Yosemite National Park, CA?
Yosemite National Park, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.