Frost Dates for Auburn, CA 95603
Last spring frost April 11 · First fall frost November 15 · 218 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95603 has about 28,400 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Auburn.
Long season: 218 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 15–May 9 (55 days). Fall frost risk spans October 26–December 4 (39 days).
Frost probability for 95603
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 11 | March 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 26 | November 15 | December 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLFAX (23.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Auburn, CA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95603 | April 11 | November 15 | 9b |
| 95602 | April 11 | November 15 | 9b |
| 95604 | April 11 | November 15 | 9b |
Which crops fit a 218-day season in Auburn
In Auburn (218 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 25. | Jul 16 |
| Pepper | Feb 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 25. | Jul 21 |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 24 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 21. | Sep 13 |
| Cucumber | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Peas | — | Feb 14–Apr 25 | 281 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 14. | Sep 4 |
| Zucchini | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Onion | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 14–Apr 4 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 14. | Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 267 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 14. | Sep 13 |
| Radish | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Oct 14 |
| Beets | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 15 | 323 | overwinter: Plant Nov 15 to Dec 6; harvest the following summer. | Dec 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 7–May 2 | 274 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 7; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 18. | Jul 28 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 25. | Jul 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4. | Aug 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Mar 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 14. | Aug 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 25. | Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 25. | Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Basil | Mar 7 | May 2–May 2 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 14–Apr 4 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Parsley | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 18. | Aug 30 |
| Celery | Jan 31 | Apr 18–May 2 | 218 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 18. | Jul 11 |
| Scallions | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 23 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 24 |
| Collards | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 25. | Jul 11 |
| Chives | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Oregano | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Sage | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Cosmos | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Lavender | Jan 17 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Melons | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 25. | Jul 11 |
| Mint | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 197 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 18. | Aug 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 25. | Jul 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 11. | Aug 9 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 18. | Jul 21 |
| Watermelon | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 18. | Jul 16 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Zinnias | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
Month by month in Auburn
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 17), Lavender (Jan 17), Onion (Jan 17), Rosemary (Jan 17), Celery (Jan 31), Collards (Jan 31), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 14), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 14), Cabbage (Feb 14), Lettuce (Feb 14), Sage (Feb 14), Swiss Chard (Feb 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 14), Beets (Feb 14), Dill (Feb 14), Peas (Feb 14), Radish (Feb 14), Spinach (Feb 14), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 7), Tomato (Mar 7), Bok Choy (Mar 14), Corn (Mar 14), Cosmos (Mar 14), Nasturtiums (Mar 14), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 14), Turnip (Mar 14), Carrots (Mar 21), Potatoes (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Collards (Mar 14), Kale (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 7). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 11), Beans (Apr 18), Pole Beans (Apr 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Cauliflower (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 11), Lavender (Apr 11), Marigolds (Apr 11), Mint (Apr 11), +24 more. Last frost around April 11. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 2). |
| June | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 3), Pumpkin (Jul 3), Cantaloupe (Jul 11), Celery (Jul 11), Melons (Jul 11), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 13), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 9), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 14), Pole Beans (Aug 14), Basil (Aug 19), Cosmos (Aug 19), Cucumber (Aug 19), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 4), Cabbage (Sep 13), Carrots (Sep 13), Beets (Sep 14), Dill (Sep 14), Swiss Chard (Sep 14), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 3), Arugula (Oct 13), Spinach (Oct 13), Radish (Oct 14). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 15). First frost around November 15. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 6). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Auburn, CA (ZIP 95603)?
The median last spring frost date for Auburn, CA (ZIP code 95603) is around April 11. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 15; one in ten it runs past May 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Auburn, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Auburn, CA is around November 15. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 26 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Auburn, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Auburn is about 218 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Auburn (218 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Auburn, CA?
Auburn, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Auburn, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 7 and plant out Apr 25 in Auburn. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Auburn?
Two: plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 22.
When do I plant garlic in Auburn?
Nov 15 to Dec 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Auburn?
Yes: plant out Apr 25 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 16 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Loomis (ZIP 95650) has 286 frost-free days, 68 more than Auburn (ZIP 95603). See Loomis ZIP 95650 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Loomis, CA 95650 (8.1 mi)
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- Frost dates for Rocklin, CA 95765 (12.1 mi)
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- Frost dates for Roseville, CA 95678 (14.9 mi)
- When to plant in CA
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- When to plant Basil in CA
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- Look up another ZIP