Frost Dates for Merced, CA 95341
Merced has 3 ZIP codes. The Merced, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 10 · First fall frost November 28 · 291 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 95341 has about 36,400 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Merced.
Very long season: 291 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 28–March 6 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans November 2–December 4 (32 days).
Frost probability for 95341
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 6 | February 10 | January 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 2 | November 28 | December 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LOS BANOS (37.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 291-day season in Merced
In Merced (291 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 6 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 249 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 24. | Jul 29 |
| Pepper | Dec 30 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 249 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 24. | Aug 3 |
| Lettuce | Dec 16 | Jan 13–Jan 20 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 7 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 20–Jan 27 | 333 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 333 available after Jan 20. | Sep 26 |
| Cucumber | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Beans | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Peas | — | Dec 16–Feb 24 | 354 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 354 available after Dec 16. | Sep 17 |
| Zucchini | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Onion | Nov 18 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 326 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 16–Feb 3 | 368 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 26 |
| Kale | Dec 2 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 11 |
| Broccoli | Dec 16 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 326 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 13. | Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Dec 16 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 340 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 13. | Sep 26 |
| Radish | — | Dec 16–Mar 10 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 27 |
| Beets | — | Dec 16–Mar 10 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 312 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 312 available after Jan 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 28 | 396 | overwinter: Plant Nov 28 to Dec 19; harvest the following summer. | Dec 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 6–Mar 3 | 347 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 13 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 263 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 17. | Aug 10 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Feb 24 | 256 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 24. | Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 30 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 305 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 3. | Sep 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Jan 27 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 16–Mar 10 | 368 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 16 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 340 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 13. | Aug 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 256 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 24. | Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Dec 23 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 249 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 24. | Aug 8 |
| Okra | Jan 13 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Basil | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 3 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 13–Feb 3 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 2 |
| Parsley | Dec 2 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 291 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 17. | Sep 12 |
| Celery | Dec 2 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 291 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 17. | Jul 24 |
| Scallions | Dec 2 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 6 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 30–Jan 13 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 11 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 13 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 7 |
| Collards | Dec 2 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 249 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 24. | Jul 24 |
| Chives | Nov 18 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 305 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 16–Mar 10 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Oregano | Dec 2 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 305 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 18 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 291 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Sage | Dec 16 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 305 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 2 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 305 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 2 |
| Cosmos | Jan 13 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Lavender | Nov 18 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 312 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 30 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Melons | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 249 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 24. | Jul 24 |
| Mint | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 312 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 13 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 270 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 17. | Aug 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 256 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 24. | Jul 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 277 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 10. | Aug 22 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 16 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 256 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 17. | Aug 3 |
| Watermelon | Jan 27 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 256 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 17. | Jul 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Zinnias | Jan 13 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
Month by month in Merced
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Basil (Jan 6), Tomato (Jan 6), Bok Choy (Jan 13), Corn (Jan 13), Cosmos (Jan 13), Nasturtiums (Jan 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 13), Turnip (Jan 13), Carrots (Jan 20), Potatoes (Jan 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 13), Cabbage (Jan 13), Collards (Jan 13), Kale (Jan 13), Lettuce (Jan 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 6). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 10), Beans (Feb 17), Pole Beans (Feb 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 3), Cauliflower (Feb 3), Cosmos (Feb 10), Lavender (Feb 10), Marigolds (Feb 10), Mint (Feb 10), +24 more. Last frost around February 10. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 3). |
| 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 16), Pumpkin (Jul 16), Cantaloupe (Jul 24), Celery (Jul 24), Melons (Jul 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 26), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 3), Tomatillos (Aug 3), Eggplant (Aug 8), Corn (Aug 10), Sunflowers (Aug 22), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 27), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 1), Cosmos (Sep 1), Cucumber (Sep 1), Zinnias (Sep 1), Broccoli (Sep 2), Nasturtiums (Sep 6), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 2), Cilantro (Oct 2), Collards (Oct 6), Scallions (Oct 6), Bok Choy (Oct 7), Lettuce (Oct 7), +6 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 18), Lavender (Nov 18), Onion (Nov 18), Rosemary (Nov 18). Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 28). First frost around November 28. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 2), Collards (Dec 2), Kale (Dec 2), Oregano (Dec 2), Parsley (Dec 2), Scallions (Dec 2), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 16), Beets (Dec 16), Dill (Dec 16), Peas (Dec 16), Radish (Dec 16), Spinach (Dec 16), +1 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 19). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Merced, CA (ZIP 95341)?
The median last spring frost date for Merced, CA (ZIP code 95341) is around February 10. 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 January 28; one in ten it runs past March 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Merced, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Merced, CA is around November 28. 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Merced, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Merced is about 291 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 Merced (291 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 Merced, CA?
Merced, 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 Merced, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 6 and plant out Feb 24 in Merced. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Merced?
Two: plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5.
When do I plant garlic in Merced?
Nov 28 to Dec 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Merced?
Yes: plant out Feb 24 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 29 for a fall crop.
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