Frost dates for 96002 — Redding, CA
Last spring frostMar 3median date
First fall frostNov 21median date
Growing season263 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Redding compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Redding falls between January 31 and April 9, a 68-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 7 and December 7.
- The median last frost is 28 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 263-day growing season is longer than 61% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9a, where the median is Mar 3.
- The weather station records an average of 27 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chico, CA, 97 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 31 |
| 50% (median) | March 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 7 |
| 50% (median) | November 21 |
| 90% (late) | December 7 |
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 Redding, CA
Frost dates for 96002 — Redding, CA — last frost Mar 3, first frost Nov 21, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 9 to Dec 23Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Dec 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Redding, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Feb 3 – Mar 10 | Sep 26 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Okra | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Basil | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 27 – Mar 10 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 7 – Dec 12 |
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 Redding Muni Ap, CA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 499 ft (152 m)).
ZIP codes in Redding: 96001 96002 96003 96049 96099
Frost dates near Redding
- Palo Cedro Mar 3 · Nov 21
- Anderson Mar 3 · Nov 21
- Shasta Lake Feb 8 · Dec 28
- Shasta Feb 13 · Dec 13
- Millville Mar 3 · Nov 21
- Cottonwood Mar 3 · Nov 21
- Whiskeytown Feb 13 · Dec 13
- Obrien Feb 8 · Dec 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Redding, CA?
The median last spring frost in Redding, CA is March 3. 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 Redding, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 7.
How long is the growing season in Redding, CA?
About 263 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Redding, CA?
Redding, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.