Frost Dates for Grass Valley, CA 95949
Grass Valley has 2 ZIP codes. The Grass Valley, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost November 6 · 200 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95949 has about 20,600 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Grass Valley.
Long season: 200 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 22–May 12 (51 days). Fall frost risk spans October 18–November 29 (42 days).
Frost probability for 95949
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | April 20 | March 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 18 | November 6 | November 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GRASS VALLEY #2 (12.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 200-day season in Grass Valley
In Grass Valley (200 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 16 | May 4–May 11 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after May 4. | Jul 7 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after May 4. | Jul 12 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 30. | Sep 4 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 263 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 23. | Aug 26 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 23. | Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 249 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 23. | Sep 4 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Oct 5 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 6 | 305 | overwinter: Plant Nov 6 to Nov 27; harvest the following summer. | Nov 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 256 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 27. | Jul 19 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after May 4. | Jun 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 13. | Aug 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 249 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 23. | Aug 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after May 4. | Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after May 4. | Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 27. | Aug 21 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 200 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 27. | Jul 2 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 158 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 158 available after May 4. | Jul 2 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 158 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 158 available after May 4. | Jul 2 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 179 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 27. | Aug 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 165 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after May 4. | Jul 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 20. | Jul 31 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 27. | Jul 12 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 27. | Jul 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
Month by month in Grass Valley
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 26), Lavender (Jan 26), Onion (Jan 26), Rosemary (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 9), Collards (Feb 9), Kale (Feb 9), Oregano (Feb 9), Parsley (Feb 9), Scallions (Feb 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 23), Beets (Feb 23), Dill (Feb 23), Peas (Feb 23), Radish (Feb 23), Spinach (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 2), Calendula (Mar 9), Cauliflower (Mar 9), Marigolds (Mar 9), Pepper (Mar 9), Basil (Mar 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 9), Cilantro (Mar 23), Turnip (Mar 23), Carrots (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 23), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 23), Cabbage (Mar 23), Collards (Mar 23), Kale (Mar 23), Lettuce (Mar 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 16). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pumpkin (Apr 6), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 6), Watermelon (Apr 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 6), Sunflowers (Apr 20), Beans (Apr 27), Pole Beans (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 6), Swiss Chard (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Cauliflower (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 20), Lavender (Apr 20), +15 more. Last frost around April 20. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 4), Cantaloupe (May 4), Cucumber (May 4), Eggplant (May 4), Melons (May 4), Pepper (May 4), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 24), Pumpkin (Jun 24). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 2), Celery (Jul 2), Melons (Jul 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 4), Tomato (Jul 7), Watermelon (Jul 7), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 5), Pole Beans (Aug 5), Basil (Aug 10), Cosmos (Aug 10), Cucumber (Aug 10), Zinnias (Aug 10), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 4), Carrots (Sep 4), Beets (Sep 5), Dill (Sep 5), Swiss Chard (Sep 5), Calendula (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 4), Spinach (Oct 4), Radish (Oct 5). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 6). First frost around November 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 27). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Grass Valley, CA (ZIP 95949)?
The median last spring frost date for Grass Valley, CA (ZIP code 95949) is around April 20. 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 22; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Grass Valley, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Grass Valley, CA is around November 6. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Grass Valley, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Grass Valley is about 200 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 Grass Valley (200 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 Grass Valley, CA?
Grass Valley, 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 Grass Valley, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 16 and plant out May 4 in Grass Valley. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Grass Valley?
Two: plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13.
When do I plant garlic in Grass Valley?
Nov 6 to Nov 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Grass Valley?
Yes: plant out May 4 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 7 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Auburn (ZIP 95603) has 218 frost-free days, 18 more than Grass Valley (ZIP 95949). See Auburn ZIP 95603 frost dates
Nearby and related
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