Frost Dates for Corning, CA 96021
Last spring frost March 3 · First fall frost November 28 · 270 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 96021 has about 14,800 people.
Very long season: 270 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 21–April 12 (81 days). Fall frost risk spans November 10–December 17 (37 days).
Frost probability for 96021
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 3 | January 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 10 | November 28 | December 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ORLAND (20.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 270-day season in Corning
In Corning (270 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 27 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 17. | Jul 29 |
| Pepper | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 17. | Aug 3 |
| Lettuce | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 7 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 312 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 10. | Sep 26 |
| Cucumber | Feb 10 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Beans | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Peas | — | Jan 6–Mar 17 | 333 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 333 available after Jan 6. | Sep 17 |
| Zucchini | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Onion | Dec 9 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 305 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 6–Feb 24 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 26 |
| Kale | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 11 |
| Broccoli | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 305 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 3. | Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 319 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 3. | Sep 26 |
| Radish | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 27 |
| Beets | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 28 | 375 | overwinter: Plant Nov 28 to Dec 19; harvest the following summer. | Dec 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 27–Mar 24 | 326 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 242 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 10. | Aug 10 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 17. | Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 284 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 24. | Sep 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 6 | Feb 17–Feb 17 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 319 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 3. | Aug 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 17. | Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 17. | Aug 8 |
| Okra | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Basil | Jan 27 | Mar 24–Mar 24 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 3–Feb 24 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 2 |
| Parsley | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 270 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 10. | Sep 12 |
| Celery | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 270 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 10. | Jul 24 |
| Scallions | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 6 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 11 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 7 |
| Collards | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 228 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 17. | Jul 24 |
| Chives | Dec 9 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 284 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Oregano | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 284 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 9 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 270 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Sage | Jan 6 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 284 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 284 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 2 |
| Cosmos | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Lavender | Dec 9 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Melons | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 228 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 17. | Jul 24 |
| Mint | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 249 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 10. | Aug 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 17. | Jul 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 3. | Aug 22 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 6 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 10. | Aug 3 |
| Watermelon | Feb 17 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 10. | Jul 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Zinnias | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
Month by month in Corning
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 6), Cabbage (Jan 6), Lettuce (Jan 6), Sage (Jan 6), Swiss Chard (Jan 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 6), Beets (Jan 6), Dill (Jan 6), Peas (Jan 6), Radish (Jan 6), Spinach (Jan 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 27). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 3), Corn (Feb 3), Cosmos (Feb 3), Nasturtiums (Feb 3), Okra (Feb 3), Zinnias (Feb 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 3), Turnip (Feb 3), Carrots (Feb 10), Potatoes (Feb 17). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Collards (Feb 3), Kale (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 3), Beans (Mar 10), Pole Beans (Mar 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 3), Lavender (Mar 3), Marigolds (Mar 3), Mint (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +23 more. Last frost around March 3. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 16), Pumpkin (Jul 16), Cantaloupe (Jul 24), Celery (Jul 24), Melons (Jul 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 26), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 3), Tomatillos (Aug 3), Eggplant (Aug 8), Corn (Aug 10), Sunflowers (Aug 22), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 27), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 1), Cosmos (Sep 1), Cucumber (Sep 1), Zinnias (Sep 1), Broccoli (Sep 2), Nasturtiums (Sep 6), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 2), Cilantro (Oct 2), Collards (Oct 6), Scallions (Oct 6), Bok Choy (Oct 7), Lettuce (Oct 7), +6 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 28). First frost around November 28. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 9), Lavender (Dec 9), Onion (Dec 9), Rosemary (Dec 9), Celery (Dec 23), Collards (Dec 23), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 19). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Corning, CA (ZIP 96021)?
The median last spring frost date for Corning, CA (ZIP code 96021) is around March 3. 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 21; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Corning, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Corning, CA is around November 28. 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 November 10 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Corning, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Corning is about 270 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 Corning (270 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 Corning, CA?
Corning, 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 Corning, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 27 and plant out Mar 17 in Corning. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Corning?
Two: plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5.
When do I plant garlic in Corning?
Nov 28 to Dec 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Corning?
Yes: plant out Mar 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 29 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Cottonwood (ZIP 96022) has 282 frost-free days, 12 more than Corning (ZIP 96021). See Cottonwood ZIP 96022 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Orland, CA 95963 (12.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Red Bluff, CA 96080 (18.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Chico, CA 95926 (25.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Cottonwood, CA 96022 (30.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Anderson, CA 96007 (37.1 mi)
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