Frost dates for 95340 — Merced, CA
Last spring frostFeb 26median date
First fall frostNov 25median date
Growing season272 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Merced compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Merced falls between January 20 and April 1, a 71-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 9 and December 16.
- The median last frost is 33 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 272-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier 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 28 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Modesto, CA, 61 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 20 |
| 50% (median) | February 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 9 |
| 50% (median) | November 25 |
| 90% (late) | December 16 |
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 Merced, CA
Frost dates for 95340 — Merced, CA — last frost Feb 26, first frost Nov 25, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 4
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 5Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 5Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Plant for fall: Nov 11 to Dec 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Merced, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Jan 29 – Mar 5 | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| Kale | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Broccoli | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Okra | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Basil | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 15 – Feb 5 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 15 – Feb 5 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 22 – Mar 5 | Oct 14 – Nov 4 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 12 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 11 – Dec 16 |
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 Merced Muni Ap, CA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 151 ft (46 m)).
ZIP codes in Merced: 95340 95341 95343 95344 95348
Frost dates near Merced
- Planada Feb 26 · Nov 25
- Atwater Mar 3 · Nov 24
- Winton Mar 3 · Nov 24
- Le Grand Feb 26 · Nov 25
- El Nido Feb 26 · Nov 25
- Santa Rita Park Feb 26 · Nov 25
- Cressey Jan 6 · Dec 20
- Livingston Jan 6 · Dec 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Merced, CA?
The median last spring frost in Merced, CA is February 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Merced, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 9.
How long is the growing season in Merced, CA?
About 272 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Merced, CA?
Merced, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.