Frost Dates for South Lake Tahoe, CA 96155
Last spring frost June 30 · First fall frost September 6 · 68 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
Short season: 68 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans June 6–July 23 (47 days). Fall frost risk spans August 13–September 29 (47 days).
Frost probability for 96155
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | July 23 | June 30 | June 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 13 | September 6 | September 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TWIN LAKES (6.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 68-day season in South Lake Tahoe
In South Lake Tahoe (68 frost-free days, a short season), 18 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 7 get two plantings, 13 need an indoor start, 4 need a faster variety, 13 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 26 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 26 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; South Lake Tahoe has 26 after Jul 14. | — |
| Pepper | May 19 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 26 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; South Lake Tahoe has 26 after Jul 14. | — |
| Lettuce | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 103 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 103 available after Jun 2. | Jul 16 |
| Carrots | — | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 110 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 110 available after Jun 9. | Jul 5 |
| Cucumber | Jun 9 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 40 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 14, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Beans | — | Jul 7–Jul 21 | 54 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 54 days. | — |
| Peas | — | May 5–Jul 14 | 131 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 131 available after May 5. | Jun 26 |
| Zucchini | Jun 16 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 40 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 14, the outdoor season is about 15 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Onion | Apr 7 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 103 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 103 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | May 5–Jun 23 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Sep 27. | Aug 4 |
| Kale | Apr 21 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 117 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 117 available after Jun 2. | Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 103 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 103 available after Jun 2. | Jun 11 |
| Cabbage | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after Jun 2. | Jul 5 |
| Radish | — | May 5–Jul 28 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Sep 13. | Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | May 5–Jul 28 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 13. | Jul 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 89 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 89 days. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 6 | 173 | overwinter: Plant Sep 6 to Sep 27; harvest the following summer. | Sep 27 |
| Strawberry | — | May 26–Jul 21 | 124 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jun 2 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 40 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; South Lake Tahoe has 40 after Jul 7. | — |
| Pumpkin | Jun 16 | Jul 14–Jul 14 | 33 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; South Lake Tahoe has 33 after Jul 14. | — |
| Cauliflower | May 19 | Jun 23–Jul 7 | 82 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 82 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Swiss Chard | May 5 | Jun 16–Jun 16 | 89 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 89 available after Jun 16. | Jul 6 |
| Arugula | — | May 5–Jul 28 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Sep 27. | Aug 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 117 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 117 available after Jun 2. | Jun 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Jun 16 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 33 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; South Lake Tahoe has 33 after Jul 14. | — |
| Eggplant | May 12 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 26 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; South Lake Tahoe has 26 after Jul 14. | — |
| Okra | Jun 2 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 47 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 7, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Basil | May 26 | Jul 21–Jul 21 | 33 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; South Lake Tahoe has 33 after Jul 21. | — |
| Cilantro | — | Jun 2–Jun 23 | 103 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 103 available after Jun 2. | Jul 11 |
| Parsley | Apr 21 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 68 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 7, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Celery | Apr 21 | Jul 7–Jul 21 | 68 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; South Lake Tahoe has 68 after Jul 7. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 21 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after Jun 2. | Jul 15 |
| Turnip | — | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 117 | two-plantings: Plant Jun 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Bok Choy | Jun 2 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 82 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 82 available after Jun 23. | Jul 16 |
| Collards | Apr 21 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after Jun 2. | Jul 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Jun 16 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 26 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; South Lake Tahoe has 26 after Jul 14. | — |
| Chives | Apr 7 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 82 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 7, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Dill | — | May 5–Jul 28 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 13. | Jul 6 |
| Oregano | Apr 21 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 82 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 82 available after Jul 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Apr 7 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 68 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 7, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sage | May 5 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 82 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 82 available after Jul 7. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 21 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 82 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 7, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Calendula | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 89 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 89 available after Jun 16. | Jul 11 |
| Cosmos | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 14 | 54 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 30, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lavender | Apr 7 | Jun 30–Jul 14 | 89 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 30, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Marigolds | May 19 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 54 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 54 available after Jun 30. | — |
| Melons | Jun 16 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 26 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; South Lake Tahoe has 26 after Jul 14. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 30–Jul 14 | 89 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 30, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 54 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 30, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pole Beans | — | Jul 7–Jul 21 | 47 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 47 days. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jun 16 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 33 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; South Lake Tahoe has 33 after Jul 14. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 30–Jul 14 | 54 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 54 days. | — |
| Tomatillos | May 5 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 33 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; South Lake Tahoe has 33 after Jul 7. | — |
| Watermelon | Jun 16 | Jul 7–Jul 14 | 33 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; South Lake Tahoe has 33 after Jul 7. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Jun 16 | Jul 14–Jul 21 | 40 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 14, the outdoor season is about 15 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Zinnias | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 14 | 54 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 30, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
Month by month in South Lake Tahoe
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Organize planting supplies and seed-starting mix. Check stored garden tools. |
| April | Start indoors: Chives (Apr 7), Lavender (Apr 7), Onion (Apr 7), Rosemary (Apr 7), Celery (Apr 21), Collards (Apr 21), +5 more. |
| May | Start indoors: Broccoli (May 5), Brussel Sprouts (May 5), Cabbage (May 5), Lettuce (May 5), Sage (May 5), Swiss Chard (May 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (May 5), Beets (May 5), Dill (May 5), Peas (May 5), Radish (May 5), Spinach (May 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 26). |
| June | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jun 2), Corn (Jun 2), Cosmos (Jun 2), Nasturtiums (Jun 2), Okra (Jun 2), Zinnias (Jun 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jun 2), Turnip (Jun 2), Carrots (Jun 9), Potatoes (Jun 16), Sunflowers (Jun 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jun 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 2), Cabbage (Jun 2), Collards (Jun 2), Kale (Jun 2), Lettuce (Jun 2), +12 more. Last frost around June 30. Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jun 5), Broccoli (Jun 11), Peas (Jun 26). |
| July | Direct sow from: Beans (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7). Transplant from: Celery (Jul 7), Chives (Jul 7), Corn (Jul 7), Okra (Jul 7), Oregano (Jul 7), Parsley (Jul 7), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Jul 5), Carrots (Jul 5), Beets (Jul 6), Dill (Jul 6), Swiss Chard (Jul 6), Calendula (Jul 11), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Aug 4), Spinach (Aug 4), Radish (Aug 5). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 6). First frost around September 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 27). |
| October | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 South Lake Tahoe, CA (ZIP 96155)?
The median last spring frost date for South Lake Tahoe, CA (ZIP code 96155) is around June 30. 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 June 6; one in ten it runs past July 23.
What is the first fall frost date in South Lake Tahoe, CA?
The median first fall frost date for South Lake Tahoe, CA is around September 6. 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 August 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in South Lake Tahoe, CA?
The frost-free growing season in South Lake Tahoe is about 68 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 South Lake Tahoe (68 frost-free days, a short season), 18 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 7 get two plantings, 13 need an indoor start, 4 need a faster variety, 13 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is South Lake Tahoe, CA?
South Lake Tahoe, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 South Lake Tahoe, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors May 26 and plant out Jul 14 in South Lake Tahoe. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in South Lake Tahoe?
One spring planting around Jun 2. The last sow date is Jul 16.
When do I plant garlic in South Lake Tahoe?
Sep 6 to Sep 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in South Lake Tahoe?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; South Lake Tahoe has 68 after Jul 7.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Pollock Pines (ZIP 95726) has 197 frost-free days, 129 more than South Lake Tahoe (ZIP 96155). See Pollock Pines ZIP 95726 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- When to plant Kale in CA
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- When to plant Peas in CA
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