Frost Dates for Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Last spring frost March 18 · First fall frost November 16 · 243 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95437 has about 15,000 people.
Very long season: 243 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 16–April 17 (1 days). Fall frost risk spans October 28–October 29 (1 days).
Frost probability for 95437
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 17 | March 18 | April 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 29 | November 16 | October 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at UKIAH (53.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 243-day season in Fort Bragg
In Fort Bragg (243 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 | Feb 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 1. | Jul 17 |
| Pepper | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 1. | Jul 22 |
| Lettuce | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 25 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 285 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 25. | Sep 14 |
| Cucumber | Feb 25 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Beans | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Peas | — | Jan 21–Apr 1 | 306 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 306 available after Jan 21. | Sep 5 |
| Zucchini | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Onion | Dec 24 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 278 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 21–Mar 11 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 14 |
| Kale | Jan 7 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 278 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 18. | Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 292 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 18. | Sep 14 |
| Radish | — | Jan 21–Apr 15 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Oct 15 |
| Beets | — | Jan 21–Apr 15 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 264 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 16 | 348 | overwinter: Plant Nov 16 to Dec 7; harvest the following summer. | Dec 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 11–Apr 8 | 299 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 11; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 215 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 25. | Jul 29 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 1 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 1. | Jul 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 257 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 11. | Aug 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 4 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 21–Apr 15 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 292 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 18. | Aug 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 1. | Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Jan 28 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 1. | Jul 27 |
| Okra | Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Basil | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 8 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 18–Mar 11 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Parsley | Jan 7 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 25. | Aug 31 |
| Celery | Jan 7 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 243 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 25. | Jul 12 |
| Scallions | Jan 7 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 24 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 18 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 25 |
| Collards | Jan 7 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 201 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 1. | Jul 12 |
| Chives | Dec 24 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 257 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 21–Apr 15 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Oregano | Jan 7 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 257 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 24 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Sage | Jan 21 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 257 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 7 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 257 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Cosmos | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Lavender | Dec 24 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 264 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Melons | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 201 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 1. | Jul 12 |
| Mint | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 264 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 222 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 25. | Aug 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 1. | Jul 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 18. | Aug 10 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 21 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 25. | Jul 22 |
| Watermelon | Mar 4 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 25. | Jul 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Zinnias | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
Month by month in Fort Bragg
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 7), Collards (Jan 7), Kale (Jan 7), Oregano (Jan 7), Parsley (Jan 7), Scallions (Jan 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 21), Beets (Jan 21), Dill (Jan 21), Peas (Jan 21), Radish (Jan 21), Spinach (Jan 21). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 4), Cauliflower (Feb 4), Marigolds (Feb 4), Pepper (Feb 4), Basil (Feb 11), Tomato (Feb 11), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 4), Cilantro (Feb 18), Turnip (Feb 18), Carrots (Feb 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 18), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 18), Cabbage (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), Kale (Feb 18), Lettuce (Feb 18), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 11). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 4), Cantaloupe (Mar 4), Melons (Mar 4), Pumpkin (Mar 4), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 4), Watermelon (Mar 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 4), Sunflowers (Mar 18), Beans (Mar 25), Pole Beans (Mar 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 4), Swiss Chard (Mar 4), Bok Choy (Mar 11), Cauliflower (Mar 11), Cosmos (Mar 18), Lavender (Mar 18), +15 more. Last frost around March 18. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 1), Cantaloupe (Apr 1), Cucumber (Apr 1), Eggplant (Apr 1), Melons (Apr 1), Pepper (Apr 1), +6 more. |
| 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 4), Pumpkin (Jul 4), Cantaloupe (Jul 12), Celery (Jul 12), Melons (Jul 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 14), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 10), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 15), Pole Beans (Aug 15), Basil (Aug 20), Cosmos (Aug 20), Cucumber (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 5), Cabbage (Sep 14), Carrots (Sep 14), Beets (Sep 15), Dill (Sep 15), Swiss Chard (Sep 15), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 4), Arugula (Oct 14), Spinach (Oct 14), Radish (Oct 15). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 16). First frost around November 16. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 24), Lavender (Dec 24), Onion (Dec 24), Rosemary (Dec 24). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 7). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Fort Bragg, CA (ZIP 95437)?
The median last spring frost date for Fort Bragg, CA (ZIP code 95437) is around March 18. 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 April 16; one in ten it runs past April 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Fort Bragg, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Fort Bragg, CA is around November 16. 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 29 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fort Bragg, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Fort Bragg is about 243 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 Fort Bragg (243 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 Fort Bragg, CA?
Fort Bragg, 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 Fort Bragg, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 11 and plant out Apr 1 in Fort Bragg. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fort Bragg?
Two: plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23.
When do I plant garlic in Fort Bragg?
Nov 16 to Dec 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Fort Bragg?
Yes: plant out Apr 1 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 17 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Cloverdale (ZIP 95425) has 275 frost-free days, 32 more than Fort Bragg (ZIP 95437). See Cloverdale ZIP 95425 frost dates
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