Frost Dates for Nevada City, CA 95959
Last spring frost May 12 · First fall frost October 28 · 169 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 95959 has about 17,700 people.
Moderate season: 169 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 18–June 2 (45 days). Fall frost risk spans October 4–November 21 (48 days).
Frost probability for 95959
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 2 | May 12 | April 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 4 | October 28 | November 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BLUE CANYON NYACK AP (15.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 169-day season in Nevada City
In Nevada City (169 frost-free days, a moderate 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 | Apr 7 | May 26–Jun 2 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 26. | Jun 28 |
| Pepper | Mar 31 | May 26–Jun 2 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 26. | Jul 3 |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 21. | Aug 26 |
| Cucumber | Apr 21 | May 26–Jun 2 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 26 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Beans | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Peas | — | Mar 17–May 26 | 232 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 17. | Aug 17 |
| Zucchini | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 26 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Onion | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 17–May 5 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Kale | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 14. | Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 14. | Aug 26 |
| Radish | — | Mar 17–Jun 9 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 26 |
| Beets | — | Mar 17–Jun 9 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 28–May 5 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 28 | 274 | overwinter: Plant Oct 28 to Nov 18; harvest the following summer. | Nov 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 7–Jun 2 | 225 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 7; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 14 | May 19–May 26 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 19. | Jul 10 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 28 | May 26–May 26 | 134 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 134 available after May 26. | Jun 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 31 | May 5–May 19 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after May 5. | Aug 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 17 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 17–Jun 9 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 218 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 14. | Jul 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 134 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 134 available after May 26. | Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Mar 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 127 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 127 available after May 26. | Jul 8 |
| Okra | Apr 14 | May 19–May 26 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Basil | Apr 7 | Jun 2–Jun 2 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant Jun 2 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 14–May 5 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Parsley | Mar 3 | May 19–May 26 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after May 19. | Aug 12 |
| Celery | Mar 3 | May 19–Jun 2 | 169 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 169 available after May 19. | Jun 23 |
| Scallions | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 14 | May 5–May 12 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Collards | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 127 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 127 available after May 26. | Jun 23 |
| Chives | Feb 17 | May 19–May 26 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after May 19. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 17–Jun 9 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Oregano | Mar 3 | May 19–May 26 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after May 19. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 17 | May 19–May 26 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after May 19. | — |
| Sage | Mar 17 | May 19–May 26 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after May 19. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 3 | May 19–May 26 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after May 19. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Cosmos | Apr 14 | May 12–May 26 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Lavender | Feb 17 | May 12–May 26 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after May 12. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 31 | May 12–May 19 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Melons | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 127 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 127 available after May 26. | Jun 23 |
| Mint | — | May 12–May 26 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after May 12. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 148 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 148 available after May 19. | Jul 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 134 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 134 available after May 26. | Jun 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 12–May 26 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after May 12. | Jul 22 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 17 | May 19–May 26 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 19. | Jul 3 |
| Watermelon | Apr 28 | May 19–May 26 | 134 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after May 19. | Jun 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 26 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Zinnias | Apr 14 | May 12–May 26 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
Month by month in Nevada City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 17), Lavender (Feb 17), Onion (Feb 17), Rosemary (Feb 17). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Oregano (Mar 3), Parsley (Mar 3), Scallions (Mar 3), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 17), Beets (Mar 17), Dill (Mar 17), Peas (Mar 17), Radish (Mar 17), Spinach (Mar 17), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 7), Tomato (Apr 7), Bok Choy (Apr 14), Corn (Apr 14), Cosmos (Apr 14), Nasturtiums (Apr 14), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 14), Turnip (Apr 14), Carrots (Apr 21), Potatoes (Apr 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 14), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 14), Cabbage (Apr 14), Collards (Apr 14), Kale (Apr 14), Lettuce (Apr 14), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 7). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 12), Beans (May 19), Pole Beans (May 19). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 5), Cauliflower (May 5), Cosmos (May 12), Lavender (May 12), Marigolds (May 12), Mint (May 12), +24 more. Last frost around May 12. |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 2). Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 15), Pumpkin (Jun 15), Cantaloupe (Jun 23), Celery (Jun 23), Melons (Jun 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 25), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 3), Tomatillos (Jul 3), Eggplant (Jul 8), Corn (Jul 10), Sunflowers (Jul 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 27), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 1), Cosmos (Aug 1), Cucumber (Aug 1), Zinnias (Aug 1), Broccoli (Aug 2), Nasturtiums (Aug 6), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 1), Cilantro (Sep 1), Collards (Sep 5), Scallions (Sep 5), Bok Choy (Sep 6), Lettuce (Sep 6), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 28). First frost around October 28. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 18). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Nevada City, CA (ZIP 95959)?
The median last spring frost date for Nevada City, CA (ZIP code 95959) is around May 12. 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 April 18; one in ten it runs past June 2.
What is the first fall frost date in Nevada City, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Nevada City, CA is around October 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 October 4 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Nevada City, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Nevada City is about 169 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 Nevada City (169 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Nevada City, CA?
Nevada City, 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 Nevada City, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 7 and plant out May 26 in Nevada City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Nevada City?
Two: plant Apr 14 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4.
When do I plant garlic in Nevada City?
Oct 28 to Nov 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Grass Valley (ZIP 95945) has 200 frost-free days, 31 more than Nevada City (ZIP 95959). See Grass Valley ZIP 95945 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Grass Valley, CA 95945 (12.1 mi)
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