Frost Dates for Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Rancho Cordova has 2 ZIP codes. The Rancho Cordova, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 10 · First fall frost December 4 · 297 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95742 has about 17,800 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Rancho Cordova.
Very long season: 297 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 6–March 20 (73 days). Fall frost risk spans November 9–January 1 (53 days).
Frost probability for 95742
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 20 | February 10 | January 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 9 | December 4 | January 1 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SACRAMENTO AP ASOS (26.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 297-day season in Rancho Cordova
In Rancho Cordova (297 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 | 255 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 24. | Aug 4 |
| Pepper | Dec 30 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 255 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 24. | Aug 9 |
| Lettuce | Dec 16 | Jan 13–Jan 20 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 13 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 20–Jan 27 | 339 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 339 available after Jan 20. | Oct 2 |
| Cucumber | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Beans | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Peas | — | Dec 16–Feb 24 | 360 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 360 available after Dec 16. | Sep 23 |
| Zucchini | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Onion | Nov 18 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 332 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 332 available after Jan 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 16–Feb 3 | 374 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Nov 1; both mature before Dec 25. | Nov 1 |
| Kale | Dec 2 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 17 |
| Broccoli | Dec 16 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 332 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 332 available after Jan 13. | Sep 8 |
| Cabbage | Dec 16 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 346 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 346 available after Jan 13. | Oct 2 |
| Radish | — | Dec 16–Mar 10 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Nov 2; both mature before Dec 11. | Nov 2 |
| Beets | — | Dec 16–Mar 10 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 318 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 318 available after Jan 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 4 | 402 | overwinter: Plant Dec 4 to Dec 25; harvest the following summer. | Dec 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 6–Mar 3 | 353 | 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 | 269 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 17. | Aug 16 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Feb 24 | 262 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 24. | Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 30 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 311 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 3. | Sep 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Jan 27 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 3 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 16–Mar 10 | 374 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Nov 1; both mature before Dec 25. | Nov 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 16 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 346 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 346 available after Jan 13. | Sep 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 262 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 24. | Jul 22 |
| Eggplant | Dec 23 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 255 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 24. | Aug 14 |
| Okra | Jan 13 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Basil | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 3 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 13–Feb 3 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 8 |
| Parsley | Dec 2 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 297 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 17. | Sep 18 |
| Celery | Dec 2 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 297 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 17. | Jul 30 |
| Scallions | Dec 2 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 12 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 30–Jan 13 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 17 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 13 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 13 |
| Collards | Dec 2 | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 25. | Oct 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 255 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 24. | Jul 30 |
| Chives | Nov 18 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 311 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 16–Mar 10 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 16 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 3 |
| Oregano | Dec 2 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 311 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 18 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 297 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Sage | Dec 16 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 311 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 2 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 311 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 311 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 11. | Oct 8 |
| Cosmos | Jan 13 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Lavender | Nov 18 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 318 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 318 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 30 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Melons | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 255 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 24. | Jul 30 |
| Mint | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 318 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 318 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 13 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 276 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 17. | Sep 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 262 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 24. | Aug 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 283 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 10. | Aug 28 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 16 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 262 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 17. | Aug 9 |
| Watermelon | Jan 27 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 262 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 17. | Aug 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Zinnias | Jan 13 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
Month by month in Rancho Cordova
| 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 22), Pumpkin (Jul 22), Cantaloupe (Jul 30), Celery (Jul 30), Melons (Jul 30). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Aug 1), Tomato (Aug 4), Watermelon (Aug 4), Pepper (Aug 9), Tomatillos (Aug 9), Eggplant (Aug 14), +2 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Sep 2), Pole Beans (Sep 2), Basil (Sep 7), Cosmos (Sep 7), Cucumber (Sep 7), Zinnias (Sep 7), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 2), Carrots (Oct 2), Beets (Oct 3), Dill (Oct 3), Swiss Chard (Oct 3), Calendula (Oct 8), +8 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 18), Lavender (Nov 18), Onion (Nov 18), Rosemary (Nov 18). Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 1), Spinach (Nov 1), Radish (Nov 2). |
| 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: Garlic (Dec 4), Arugula (Dec 16), Beets (Dec 16), Dill (Dec 16), Peas (Dec 16), Radish (Dec 16), +2 more. First frost around December 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 25). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Rancho Cordova, CA (ZIP 95742)?
The median last spring frost date for Rancho Cordova, CA (ZIP code 95742) 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 6; one in ten it runs past March 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Rancho Cordova, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Rancho Cordova, CA is around December 4. 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 Rancho Cordova, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Rancho Cordova is about 297 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 Rancho Cordova (297 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 Rancho Cordova, CA?
Rancho Cordova, 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 Rancho Cordova, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 6 and plant out Feb 24 in Rancho Cordova. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rancho Cordova?
Two: plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 11.
When do I plant garlic in Rancho Cordova?
Dec 4 to Dec 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Rancho Cordova?
Yes: plant out Feb 24 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 4 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (4.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Fair Oaks, CA 95628 (6.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Folsom, CA 95630 (7.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Carmichael, CA 95608 (7.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Orangevale, CA 95662 (8.1 mi)
- When to plant in CA
- When to plant Peppers in CA
- When to plant Cucumbers in CA
- When to plant Zucchini in CA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in CA
- When to plant Basil in CA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in CA
- Look up another ZIP