Frost Dates for Chowchilla, CA 93610
Last spring frost February 28 · First fall frost November 18 · 263 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 93610 has about 23,500 people.
Very long season: 263 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 28–March 31 (62 days). Fall frost risk spans October 31–December 6 (36 days).
Frost probability for 93610
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 31 | February 28 | January 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 31 | November 18 | December 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MADERA (27.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 263-day season in Chowchilla
In Chowchilla (263 frost-free days, a very 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 | Jan 24 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 14. | Jul 19 |
| Pepper | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 221 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 14. | Jul 24 |
| Lettuce | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 27 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 305 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 7. | Sep 16 |
| Cucumber | Feb 7 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Beans | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Peas | — | Jan 3–Mar 14 | 326 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 3. | Sep 7 |
| Zucchini | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Onion | Dec 6 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 298 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 298 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 3–Feb 21 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 16 |
| Kale | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 298 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 298 available after Jan 31. | Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 312 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 312 available after Jan 31. | Sep 16 |
| Radish | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 17 |
| Beets | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 284 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 18 | 368 | overwinter: Plant Nov 18 to Dec 9; harvest the following summer. | Dec 9 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 24–Mar 21 | 319 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 31 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 7. | Jul 31 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 14. | Jul 6 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 17 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 277 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 21. | Aug 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 3 | Feb 14–Feb 14 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 16 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 312 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 312 available after Jan 31. | Aug 17 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 14. | Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 14. | Jul 29 |
| Okra | Jan 31 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Basil | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 31–Feb 21 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 22 |
| Parsley | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 7. | Sep 2 |
| Celery | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 263 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 7. | Jul 14 |
| Scallions | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 9. | Sep 26 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 31 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 27 |
| Collards | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 9. | Sep 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 221 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 14. | Jul 14 |
| Chives | Dec 6 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 277 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 3–Mar 28 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Oregano | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 277 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 6 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 263 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Sage | Jan 3 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 277 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 20 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 277 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 22 |
| Cosmos | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Lavender | Dec 6 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 284 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Melons | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 221 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 14. | Jul 14 |
| Mint | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 284 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 242 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 7. | Aug 17 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 14. | Jul 16 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 249 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 28. | Aug 12 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 3 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 7. | Jul 24 |
| Watermelon | Feb 14 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 7. | Jul 19 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Zinnias | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
Month by month in Chowchilla
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 3), Cabbage (Jan 3), Lettuce (Jan 3), Sage (Jan 3), Swiss Chard (Jan 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 3), Beets (Jan 3), Dill (Jan 3), Peas (Jan 3), Radish (Jan 3), Spinach (Jan 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 31), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 31), Cabbage (Jan 31), Collards (Jan 31), Kale (Jan 31), Lettuce (Jan 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 7), Butternut Squash (Feb 14), Cantaloupe (Feb 14), Melons (Feb 14), Pumpkin (Feb 14), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 7), Potatoes (Feb 14), Sunflowers (Feb 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 14), Swiss Chard (Feb 14), Bok Choy (Feb 21), Cauliflower (Feb 21), Cosmos (Feb 28), Lavender (Feb 28), +4 more. Last frost around February 28. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 7), Pole Beans (Mar 7). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 7), Chives (Mar 7), Corn (Mar 7), Okra (Mar 7), Oregano (Mar 7), Parsley (Mar 7), +17 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 6), Pumpkin (Jul 6), Cantaloupe (Jul 14), Celery (Jul 14), Melons (Jul 14), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 16), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 12), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 17), Pole Beans (Aug 17), Basil (Aug 22), Cosmos (Aug 22), Cucumber (Aug 22), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Sep 1), Parsley (Sep 2), Peas (Sep 7), Cabbage (Sep 16), Carrots (Sep 16), Beets (Sep 17), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Kale (Oct 1), Kohlrabi (Oct 1), Turnip (Oct 6), Arugula (Oct 16), Spinach (Oct 16), Radish (Oct 17). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 18). First frost around November 18. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 6), Lavender (Dec 6), Onion (Dec 6), Rosemary (Dec 6), Celery (Dec 20), Collards (Dec 20), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 9). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Chowchilla, CA (ZIP 93610)?
The median last spring frost date for Chowchilla, CA (ZIP code 93610) is around February 28. 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 January 28; one in ten it runs past March 31.
What is the first fall frost date in Chowchilla, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Chowchilla, CA is around November 18. 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 31 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Chowchilla, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Chowchilla is about 263 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 Chowchilla (263 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Chowchilla, CA?
Chowchilla, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Chowchilla, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 24 and plant out Mar 14 in Chowchilla. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Chowchilla?
Two: plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 25.
When do I plant garlic in Chowchilla?
Nov 18 to Dec 9; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Chowchilla?
Yes: plant out Mar 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 19 for a fall crop.
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