Frost Dates for Lincoln, CA 95648
Last spring frost February 18 · First fall frost December 1 · 286 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 95648 has about 57,500 people.
Very long season: 286 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–April 2 (3 days). Fall frost risk spans November 9–November 25 (16 days).
Frost probability for 95648
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 2 | February 18 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 9 | December 1 | November 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at AUBURN (19.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 286-day season in Lincoln
In Lincoln (286 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 14 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 244 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 4. | Aug 1 |
| Pepper | Jan 7 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 244 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 4. | Aug 6 |
| Lettuce | Dec 24 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 10 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 328 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 328 available after Jan 28. | Sep 29 |
| Cucumber | Jan 28 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Beans | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Peas | — | Dec 24–Mar 4 | 349 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 349 available after Dec 24. | Sep 20 |
| Zucchini | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Onion | Nov 26 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 321 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 24–Feb 11 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 29 |
| Kale | Dec 10 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 14 |
| Broccoli | Dec 24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 321 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 21. | Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Dec 24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 335 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 21. | Sep 29 |
| Radish | — | Dec 24–Mar 18 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 30 |
| Beets | — | Dec 24–Mar 18 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 4–Feb 11 | 307 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 1 | 391 | overwinter: Plant Dec 1 to Dec 22; harvest the following summer. | Dec 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 14–Mar 11 | 342 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 21 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 258 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 25. | Aug 13 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 4 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 4. | Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 7 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 300 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 11. | Sep 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 4 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 24–Mar 18 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 335 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 21. | Aug 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 4. | Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Dec 31 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 4. | Aug 11 |
| Okra | Jan 21 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Basil | Jan 14 | Mar 11–Mar 11 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 21–Feb 11 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 5 |
| Parsley | Dec 10 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 286 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 25. | Sep 15 |
| Celery | Dec 10 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 286 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 25. | Jul 27 |
| Scallions | Dec 10 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 9 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 7–Jan 21 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 14 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 21 | Feb 11–Feb 18 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 10 |
| Collards | Dec 10 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 244 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 4. | Jul 27 |
| Chives | Nov 26 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 300 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 24–Mar 18 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Oregano | Dec 10 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 300 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 26 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 286 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Sage | Dec 24 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 300 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 10 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 300 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 5 |
| Cosmos | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Lavender | Nov 26 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 307 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 7 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 14 |
| Melons | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 244 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 4. | Jul 27 |
| Mint | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 307 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 265 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 25. | Aug 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 4. | Jul 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 272 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 18. | Aug 25 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 24 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 251 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 25. | Aug 6 |
| Watermelon | Feb 4 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 251 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 25. | Aug 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Zinnias | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
Month by month in Lincoln
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Calendula (Jan 7), Cauliflower (Jan 7), Marigolds (Jan 7), Pepper (Jan 7), Basil (Jan 14), Tomato (Jan 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 7), Cilantro (Jan 21), Turnip (Jan 21), Carrots (Jan 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 21), Cabbage (Jan 21), Collards (Jan 21), Kale (Jan 21), Lettuce (Jan 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 14). |
| February | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Feb 4), Cantaloupe (Feb 4), Melons (Feb 4), Pumpkin (Feb 4), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 4), Watermelon (Feb 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Feb 4), Sunflowers (Feb 18), Beans (Feb 25), Pole Beans (Feb 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 4), Swiss Chard (Feb 4), Bok Choy (Feb 11), Cauliflower (Feb 11), Cosmos (Feb 18), Lavender (Feb 18), +15 more. Last frost around February 18. |
| March | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Mar 4), Cantaloupe (Mar 4), Cucumber (Mar 4), Eggplant (Mar 4), Melons (Mar 4), Pepper (Mar 4), +6 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 19), Pumpkin (Jul 19), Cantaloupe (Jul 27), Celery (Jul 27), Melons (Jul 27), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 29). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Aug 1), Watermelon (Aug 1), Pepper (Aug 6), Tomatillos (Aug 6), Eggplant (Aug 11), Corn (Aug 13), +3 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 4), Cosmos (Sep 4), Cucumber (Sep 4), Zinnias (Sep 4), Broccoli (Sep 5), Nasturtiums (Sep 9), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 5), Cilantro (Oct 5), Collards (Oct 9), Scallions (Oct 9), Bok Choy (Oct 10), Lettuce (Oct 10), +6 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 26), Lavender (Nov 26), Onion (Nov 26), Rosemary (Nov 26). |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 10), Collards (Dec 10), Kale (Dec 10), Oregano (Dec 10), Parsley (Dec 10), Scallions (Dec 10), +9 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 1), Arugula (Dec 24), Beets (Dec 24), Dill (Dec 24), Peas (Dec 24), Radish (Dec 24), +1 more. First frost around December 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 22). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Lincoln, CA (ZIP 95648)?
The median last spring frost date for Lincoln, CA (ZIP code 95648) is around February 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 March 30; one in ten it runs past April 2.
What is the first fall frost date in Lincoln, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Lincoln, CA is around December 1. 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lincoln, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Lincoln is about 286 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 Lincoln (286 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 Lincoln, CA?
Lincoln, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Lincoln, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 14 and plant out Mar 4 in Lincoln. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lincoln?
Two: plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 8.
When do I plant garlic in Lincoln?
Dec 1 to Dec 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Lincoln?
Yes: plant out Mar 4 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 1 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Rocklin (ZIP 95765) has 297 frost-free days, 11 more than Lincoln (ZIP 95648). See Rocklin ZIP 95765 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Rocklin, CA 95765 (7.6 mi)
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