Frost Dates for Modesto, CA 95354
Modesto has 7 ZIP codes. The Modesto, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 13 · First fall frost November 30 · 290 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95354 has about 25,700 people, one of 7 ZIP codes in Modesto.
Very long season: 290 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 25–March 14 (48 days). Fall frost risk spans November 14–December 14 (30 days).
Frost probability for 95354
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 14 | February 13 | January 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 14 | November 30 | December 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at STOCKTON AP (36.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 290-day season in Modesto
In Modesto (290 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 9 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 248 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 248 available after Feb 27. | Jul 31 |
| Pepper | Jan 2 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 248 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 248 available after Feb 27. | Aug 5 |
| Lettuce | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 23 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 9 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 23–Jan 30 | 332 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 332 available after Jan 23. | Sep 28 |
| Cucumber | Jan 23 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Beans | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Peas | — | Dec 19–Feb 27 | 353 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 353 available after Dec 19. | Sep 19 |
| Zucchini | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Onion | Nov 21 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 325 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 325 available after Jan 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 19–Feb 6 | 367 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 28 |
| Kale | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 13 |
| Broccoli | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 325 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 325 available after Jan 16. | Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 339 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 339 available after Jan 16. | Sep 28 |
| Radish | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 29 |
| Beets | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 311 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 311 available after Jan 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 30 | 395 | overwinter: Plant Nov 30 to Dec 21; harvest the following summer. | Dec 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 9–Mar 6 | 346 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 262 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 20. | Aug 12 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Feb 27 | 255 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 27. | Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 2 | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 304 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 6. | Sep 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Jan 30 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 367 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 339 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 339 available after Jan 16. | Aug 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 255 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 27. | Jul 18 |
| Eggplant | Dec 26 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 248 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 248 available after Feb 27. | Aug 10 |
| Okra | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Basil | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 16–Feb 6 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 4 |
| Parsley | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 290 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 20. | Sep 14 |
| Celery | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 290 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 20. | Jul 26 |
| Scallions | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 8 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 13 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 16 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 9 |
| Collards | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 21. | Oct 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 248 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 248 available after Feb 27. | Jul 26 |
| Chives | Nov 21 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 304 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Oregano | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 304 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 21 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 290 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Sage | Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 304 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 304 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 4 |
| Cosmos | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Lavender | Nov 21 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 311 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Melons | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 248 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 248 available after Feb 27. | Jul 26 |
| Mint | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 311 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 269 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 20. | Aug 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 255 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 27. | Jul 28 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 276 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 13. | Aug 24 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 255 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 20. | Aug 5 |
| Watermelon | Jan 30 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 255 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 20. | Jul 31 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Zinnias | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
Month by month in Modesto
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Calendula (Jan 2), Cauliflower (Jan 2), Marigolds (Jan 2), Pepper (Jan 2), Basil (Jan 9), Tomato (Jan 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 2), Cilantro (Jan 16), Turnip (Jan 16), Carrots (Jan 23), Potatoes (Jan 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 16), Cabbage (Jan 16), Collards (Jan 16), Kale (Jan 16), Lettuce (Jan 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 9). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 13), Beans (Feb 20), Pole Beans (Feb 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 6), Cauliflower (Feb 6), Cosmos (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Marigolds (Feb 13), Mint (Feb 13), +24 more. Last frost around February 13. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 6). |
| 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 18), Pumpkin (Jul 18), Cantaloupe (Jul 26), Celery (Jul 26), Melons (Jul 26), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 28), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 5), Tomatillos (Aug 5), Eggplant (Aug 10), Corn (Aug 12), Sunflowers (Aug 24), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 29), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 3), Cosmos (Sep 3), Cucumber (Sep 3), Zinnias (Sep 3), Broccoli (Sep 4), Nasturtiums (Sep 8), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 4), Cilantro (Oct 4), Collards (Oct 8), Scallions (Oct 8), Bok Choy (Oct 9), Lettuce (Oct 9), +6 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 21), Lavender (Nov 21), Onion (Nov 21), Rosemary (Nov 21). Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 30). First frost around November 30. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 5), Collards (Dec 5), Kale (Dec 5), Oregano (Dec 5), Parsley (Dec 5), Scallions (Dec 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 19), Beets (Dec 19), Dill (Dec 19), Peas (Dec 19), Radish (Dec 19), Spinach (Dec 19). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 21). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Modesto, CA (ZIP 95354)?
The median last spring frost date for Modesto, CA (ZIP code 95354) is around February 13. 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 25; one in ten it runs past March 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Modesto, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Modesto, CA is around November 30. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Modesto, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Modesto is about 290 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 Modesto (290 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 Modesto, CA?
Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 9 and plant out Feb 27 in Modesto. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Modesto?
Two: plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 7.
When do I plant garlic in Modesto?
Nov 30 to Dec 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Modesto?
Yes: plant out Feb 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 31 for a fall crop.
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