Frost Dates for Ione, CA 95640
Last spring frost February 26 · First fall frost November 19 · 266 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95640 has about 13,900 people.
Very long season: 266 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 10–March 31 (21 days). Fall frost risk spans November 3–November 29 (26 days).
Frost probability for 95640
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 31 | February 26 | March 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 3 | November 19 | November 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LODI (39.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 266-day season in Ione
In Ione (266 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 22 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 224 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 12. | Jul 20 |
| Pepper | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 224 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 12. | Jul 25 |
| Lettuce | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 5 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 28 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 308 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 5. | Sep 17 |
| Cucumber | Feb 5 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Beans | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Peas | — | Jan 1–Mar 12 | 329 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 329 available after Jan 1. | Sep 8 |
| Zucchini | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Onion | Dec 4 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 301 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 301 available after Jan 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 1–Feb 19 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 17 |
| Kale | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 301 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 301 available after Jan 29. | Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 315 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 315 available after Jan 29. | Sep 17 |
| Radish | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Oct 18 |
| Beets | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 287 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 19 | 371 | overwinter: Plant Nov 19 to Dec 10; harvest the following summer. | Dec 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 22–Mar 19 | 322 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 29 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 5. | Aug 1 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 12. | Jul 7 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 280 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 19. | Aug 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 1 | Feb 12–Feb 12 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 315 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 315 available after Jan 29. | Aug 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 12. | Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 12. | Jul 30 |
| Okra | Jan 29 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Basil | Jan 22 | Mar 19–Mar 19 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 29–Feb 19 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Parsley | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 5. | Sep 3 |
| Celery | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 266 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 5. | Jul 15 |
| Scallions | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 10. | Sep 27 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 15–Jan 29 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 15 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 29 | Feb 19–Feb 26 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 28 |
| Collards | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 10. | Sep 27 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 224 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 12. | Jul 15 |
| Chives | Dec 4 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 280 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Oregano | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 280 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 4 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 266 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Sage | Jan 1 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 280 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 280 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 280 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Cosmos | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Lavender | Dec 4 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 287 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Melons | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 224 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 12. | Jul 15 |
| Mint | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 287 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 245 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 5. | Aug 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 12. | Jul 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 252 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 26. | Aug 13 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 1 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 231 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 5. | Jul 25 |
| Watermelon | Feb 12 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 5. | Jul 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Zinnias | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
Month by month in Ione
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 1), Cabbage (Jan 1), Lettuce (Jan 1), Sage (Jan 1), Swiss Chard (Jan 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 1), Beets (Jan 1), Dill (Jan 1), Peas (Jan 1), Radish (Jan 1), Spinach (Jan 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 29), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 29), Cabbage (Jan 29), Collards (Jan 29), Kale (Jan 29), Lettuce (Jan 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 22). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 5), Butternut Squash (Feb 12), Cantaloupe (Feb 12), Melons (Feb 12), Pumpkin (Feb 12), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 5), Potatoes (Feb 12), Sunflowers (Feb 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 12), Swiss Chard (Feb 12), Bok Choy (Feb 19), Cauliflower (Feb 19), Cosmos (Feb 26), Lavender (Feb 26), +4 more. Last frost around February 26. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 5), Pole Beans (Mar 5). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 5), Chives (Mar 5), Corn (Mar 5), Okra (Mar 5), Oregano (Mar 5), Parsley (Mar 5), +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 7), Pumpkin (Jul 7), Cantaloupe (Jul 15), Celery (Jul 15), Melons (Jul 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 17), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Corn (Aug 1), Sunflowers (Aug 13), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 18), Pole Beans (Aug 18), Basil (Aug 23), Cosmos (Aug 23), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Sep 2), Parsley (Sep 3), Peas (Sep 8), Cabbage (Sep 17), Carrots (Sep 17), Beets (Sep 18), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Kale (Oct 2), Kohlrabi (Oct 2), Turnip (Oct 7), Arugula (Oct 17), Spinach (Oct 17), Radish (Oct 18). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 19). First frost around November 19. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 4), Lavender (Dec 4), Onion (Dec 4), Rosemary (Dec 4), Celery (Dec 18), Collards (Dec 18), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 10). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Ione, CA (ZIP 95640)?
The median last spring frost date for Ione, CA (ZIP code 95640) is around February 26. 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 10; one in ten it runs past March 31.
What is the first fall frost date in Ione, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Ione, CA is around November 19. 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 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ione, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Ione is about 266 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 Ione (266 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 Ione, CA?
Ione, 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 Ione, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 22 and plant out Mar 12 in Ione. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ione?
Two: plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 26.
When do I plant garlic in Ione?
Nov 19 to Dec 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Ione?
Yes: plant out Mar 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 20 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Valley Springs (ZIP 95252) has 290 frost-free days, 24 more than Ione (ZIP 95640). See Valley Springs ZIP 95252 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Valley Springs, CA 95252 (13.5 mi)
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- Frost dates for Shingle Springs, CA 95682 (18.4 mi)
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- Frost dates for Elk Grove, CA 95624 (20.8 mi)
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