Frost Dates for Rio Vista, CA 94571
Last spring frost March 2 · First fall frost December 1 · 274 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 94571 has about 11,000 people.
Very long season: 274 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 22–April 15 (83 days). Fall frost risk spans November 9–December 15 (36 days).
Frost probability for 94571
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 15 | March 2 | January 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 9 | December 1 | December 15 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at VACAVILLE (32.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 274-day season in Rio Vista
In Rio Vista (274 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 26 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 16. | Aug 1 |
| Pepper | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 16. | Aug 6 |
| Lettuce | Jan 5 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 10 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 316 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 9. | Sep 29 |
| Cucumber | Feb 9 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Beans | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Peas | — | Jan 5–Mar 16 | 337 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 337 available after Jan 5. | Sep 20 |
| Zucchini | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Onion | Dec 8 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 309 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 5–Feb 23 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 29 |
| Kale | Dec 22 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 14 |
| Broccoli | Jan 5 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 309 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 2. | Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Jan 5 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 323 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 323 available after Feb 2. | Sep 29 |
| Radish | — | Jan 5–Mar 30 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 30 |
| Beets | — | Jan 5–Mar 30 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 295 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 295 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 1 | 379 | overwinter: Plant Dec 1 to Dec 22; harvest the following summer. | Dec 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 26–Mar 23 | 330 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 2 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 9. | Aug 13 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 16 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 16. | Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 288 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 23. | Sep 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 5 | Feb 16–Feb 16 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 5–Mar 30 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Oct 29; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 5 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 323 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 323 available after Feb 2. | Aug 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 16. | Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 16. | Aug 11 |
| Okra | Feb 2 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Basil | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Mar 23 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 2–Feb 23 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 5 |
| Parsley | Dec 22 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 274 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 9. | Sep 15 |
| Celery | Dec 22 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 274 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 9. | Jul 27 |
| Scallions | Dec 22 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 9 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 14 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 2 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 10 |
| Collards | Dec 22 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 22. | Oct 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 232 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 16. | Jul 27 |
| Chives | Dec 8 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 288 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 5–Mar 30 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Oregano | Dec 22 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 288 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 8 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 274 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Sage | Jan 5 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 288 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 22 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 288 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 5 |
| Cosmos | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Lavender | Dec 8 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 295 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 295 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 14 |
| Melons | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 232 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 16. | Jul 27 |
| Mint | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 295 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 295 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 253 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 9. | Aug 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 16. | Jul 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 2. | Aug 25 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 5 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 239 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 9. | Aug 6 |
| Watermelon | Feb 16 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 9. | Aug 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Zinnias | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
Month by month in Rio Vista
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 5), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 5), Cabbage (Jan 5), Lettuce (Jan 5), Sage (Jan 5), Swiss Chard (Jan 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 5), Beets (Jan 5), Dill (Jan 5), Peas (Jan 5), Radish (Jan 5), Spinach (Jan 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 2), Corn (Feb 2), Cosmos (Feb 2), Nasturtiums (Feb 2), Okra (Feb 2), Zinnias (Feb 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 2), Turnip (Feb 2), Carrots (Feb 9), Potatoes (Feb 16). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 2), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 2), Cabbage (Feb 2), Collards (Feb 2), Kale (Feb 2), Lettuce (Feb 2), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 2), Beans (Mar 9), Pole Beans (Mar 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 2), Lavender (Mar 2), Marigolds (Mar 2), Mint (Mar 2), Nasturtiums (Mar 2), Zinnias (Mar 2), +23 more. Last frost around March 2. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| 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 | First fall frost approaching (around December 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 8), Lavender (Dec 8), Onion (Dec 8), Rosemary (Dec 8), Celery (Dec 22), Collards (Dec 22), +5 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 1). First frost around December 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 22). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Rio Vista, CA (ZIP 94571)?
The median last spring frost date for Rio Vista, CA (ZIP code 94571) is around March 2. 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 22; one in ten it runs past April 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Rio Vista, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Rio Vista, 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 Rio Vista, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Rio Vista is about 274 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 Rio Vista (274 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 Rio Vista, CA?
Rio Vista, 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 Rio Vista, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 26 and plant out Mar 16 in Rio Vista. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rio Vista?
Two: plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 8.
When do I plant garlic in Rio Vista?
Dec 1 to Dec 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Rio Vista?
Yes: plant out Mar 16 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?
Suisun City (ZIP 94585) has 302 frost-free days, 28 more than Rio Vista (ZIP 94571). See Suisun City ZIP 94585 frost dates
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