Frost Dates for Eureka, CA 95501
Eureka has 2 ZIP codes. The Eureka, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 9 · First fall frost December 14 · 308 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95501 has about 22,900 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Eureka.
Very long season: 308 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans December 9–March 23 (104 days). Fall frost risk spans November 11–January 25 (75 days).
Frost probability for 95501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 23 | February 9 | December 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 11 | December 14 | January 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SCOTIA (35.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 308-day season in Eureka
In Eureka (308 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 5 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 266 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 23. | Aug 14 |
| Pepper | Dec 29 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 266 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 23. | Aug 19 |
| Lettuce | Dec 15 | Jan 12–Jan 19 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 23 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 350 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 350 available after Jan 19. | Oct 12 |
| Cucumber | Jan 19 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Beans | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 24 |
| Peas | — | Dec 15–Feb 23 | 371 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 371 available after Dec 15. | Oct 3 |
| Zucchini | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Onion | Nov 17 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 343 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 343 available after Jan 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 15–Feb 2 | 385 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Nov 11; both mature before Jan 4. | Nov 11 |
| Kale | Dec 1 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Jan 4. | Oct 27 |
| Broccoli | Dec 15 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 343 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 343 available after Jan 12. | Sep 18 |
| Cabbage | Dec 15 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 357 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 357 available after Jan 12. | Oct 12 |
| Radish | — | Dec 15–Mar 9 | 371 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Nov 12; both mature before Dec 21. | Nov 12 |
| Beets | — | Dec 15–Mar 9 | 371 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 13 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 26–Feb 2 | 329 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 329 available after Jan 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 14 | 413 | overwinter: Plant Dec 14 to Jan 4; harvest the following summer. | Jan 4 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 5–Mar 2 | 364 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 12 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 280 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 16. | Aug 26 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Feb 23 | 273 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 23. | Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 29 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 322 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 2. | Sep 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 15 | Jan 26–Jan 26 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 13 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 15–Mar 9 | 385 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Nov 11; both mature before Jan 4. | Nov 11 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 15 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 357 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 357 available after Jan 12. | Sep 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 273 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 23. | Aug 1 |
| Eggplant | Dec 22 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 23. | Aug 24 |
| Okra | Jan 12 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Basil | Jan 5 | Mar 2–Mar 2 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 12–Feb 2 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 18 |
| Parsley | Dec 1 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 308 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 16. | Sep 28 |
| Celery | Dec 1 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 308 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 16. | Aug 9 |
| Scallions | Dec 1 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Jan 4. | Oct 22 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Nov 1; both mature before Jan 4. | Nov 1 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 29–Jan 12 | 371 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 29 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Jan 4. | Oct 27 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 12 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 23 |
| Collards | Dec 1 | Jan 12–Jan 26 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 12 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Jan 4. | Oct 22 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 266 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 23. | Aug 9 |
| Chives | Nov 17 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 322 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 15–Mar 9 | 371 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 15 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 13 |
| Oregano | Dec 1 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 322 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 17 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 308 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Sage | Dec 15 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 322 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 1 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 322 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 29 | Jan 26–Feb 9 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 18 |
| Cosmos | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Lavender | Nov 17 | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 329 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 329 available after Feb 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 29 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Melons | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 266 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 23. | Aug 9 |
| Mint | — | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 329 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 329 available after Feb 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 287 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 16. | Sep 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 273 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 23. | Aug 11 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 294 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 294 available after Feb 9. | Sep 7 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 15 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 273 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 16. | Aug 19 |
| Watermelon | Jan 26 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 273 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 16. | Aug 14 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Zinnias | Jan 12 | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
Month by month in Eureka
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Basil (Jan 5), Tomato (Jan 5), Bok Choy (Jan 12), Corn (Jan 12), Cosmos (Jan 12), Nasturtiums (Jan 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 12), Turnip (Jan 12), Carrots (Jan 19), Potatoes (Jan 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 12), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 12), Cabbage (Jan 12), Collards (Jan 12), Kale (Jan 12), Lettuce (Jan 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 5). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 4). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 9), Beans (Feb 16), Pole Beans (Feb 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 2), Cauliflower (Feb 2), Cosmos (Feb 9), Lavender (Feb 9), Marigolds (Feb 9), Mint (Feb 9), +24 more. Last frost around February 9. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 2). |
| 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 | Direct sow carrots and beets for fall harvest. Start fall broccoli and kale indoors. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Aug 1), Pumpkin (Aug 1), Cantaloupe (Aug 9), Celery (Aug 9), Melons (Aug 9), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 11), +6 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Sep 7), Brussel Sprouts (Sep 12), Pole Beans (Sep 12), Basil (Sep 17), Cosmos (Sep 17), Cucumber (Sep 17), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Peas (Oct 3), Cabbage (Oct 12), Carrots (Oct 12), Beets (Oct 13), Dill (Oct 13), Swiss Chard (Oct 13), +8 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 17), Lavender (Nov 17), Onion (Nov 17), Rosemary (Nov 17). Last sowing dates: Turnip (Nov 1), Arugula (Nov 11), Spinach (Nov 11), Radish (Nov 12). |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 1), Collards (Dec 1), Kale (Dec 1), Oregano (Dec 1), Parsley (Dec 1), Scallions (Dec 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 14), Arugula (Dec 15), Beets (Dec 15), Dill (Dec 15), Peas (Dec 15), Radish (Dec 15), +2 more. First frost around December 14. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Eureka, CA (ZIP 95501)?
The median last spring frost date for Eureka, CA (ZIP code 95501) is around February 9. 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 December 9; one in ten it runs past March 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Eureka, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Eureka, CA is around December 14. 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 11 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Eureka, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Eureka is about 308 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 Eureka (308 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 Eureka, CA?
Eureka, 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 Eureka, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 5 and plant out Feb 23 in Eureka. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Eureka?
Two: plant Jan 12 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 21.
When do I plant garlic in Eureka?
Dec 14 to Jan 4; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Eureka?
Yes: plant out Feb 23 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 14 for a fall crop.
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