Frost Dates for Truckee, CA 96161
Last spring frost July 6 · First fall frost August 28 · 53 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 96161 has about 19,600 people.
Short season: 53 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans June 17–July 24 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans August 10–September 14 (35 days).
Frost probability for 96161
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | July 24 | July 6 | June 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 10 | August 28 | September 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at DONNER MEM SP (2.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 53-day season in Truckee
In Truckee (53 frost-free days, a short season), 17 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 3 get two plantings, 11 need an indoor start, 2 need a faster variety, 22 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jun 1 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 11 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Truckee has 11 after Jul 20. | — |
| Pepper | May 25 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 11 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Truckee has 11 after Jul 20. | — |
| Lettuce | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 88 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 8. | Jul 7 |
| Carrots | — | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 95 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 15. | Jun 26 |
| Cucumber | Jun 15 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 25 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Truckee has 25 after Jul 20. | — |
| Beans | — | Jul 13–Jul 27 | 39 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 39 days. | — |
| Peas | — | May 11–Jul 20 | 116 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 116 available after May 11. | Jun 17 |
| Zucchini | Jun 22 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 25 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Truckee has 25 after Jul 20. | — |
| Onion | Apr 13 | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 88 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Spinach | — | May 11–Jun 29 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 26 |
| Kale | Apr 27 | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 102 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 8. | Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 88 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Cabbage | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 102 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 8. | Jun 26 |
| Radish | — | May 11–Aug 3 | 116 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 4. | Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | May 11–Aug 3 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 11. | Jun 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Jun 22–Jun 29 | 74 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 74 days. | — |
| Garlic | — | Aug 28 | 158 | overwinter: Plant Aug 28 to Sep 18; harvest the following summer. | Sep 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Jun 1–Jul 27 | 109 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jun 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jun 8 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 25 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Truckee has 25 after Jul 13. | — |
| Pumpkin | Jun 22 | Jul 20–Jul 20 | 18 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Truckee has 18 after Jul 20. | — |
| Cauliflower | May 25 | Jun 29–Jul 13 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 29, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Swiss Chard | May 11 | Jun 22–Jun 22 | 74 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 74 available after Jun 22. | Jun 27 |
| Arugula | — | May 11–Aug 3 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 102 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Butternut Squash | Jun 22 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 18 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Truckee has 18 after Jul 20. | — |
| Eggplant | May 18 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 11 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Truckee has 11 after Jul 20. | — |
| Okra | Jun 8 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 32 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Truckee has 32 after Jul 13. | — |
| Basil | Jun 1 | Jul 27–Jul 27 | 18 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Truckee has 18 after Jul 27. | — |
| Cilantro | — | Jun 8–Jun 29 | 88 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 8. | Jul 2 |
| Parsley | Apr 27 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 53 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 13, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Celery | Apr 27 | Jul 13–Jul 27 | 53 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Truckee has 53 after Jul 13. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 27 | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 102 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 8. | Jul 6 |
| Turnip | — | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 102 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 8. | Jul 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | May 25–Jun 8 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 25. | Jul 11 |
| Bok Choy | Jun 8 | Jun 29–Jul 6 | 67 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 67 available after Jun 29. | Jul 7 |
| Collards | Apr 27 | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 102 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 8. | Jul 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Jun 22 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 11 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Truckee has 11 after Jul 20. | — |
| Chives | Apr 13 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 67 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Truckee has 67 after Jul 13. | — |
| Dill | — | May 11–Aug 3 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 11. | Jun 27 |
| Oregano | Apr 27 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 13, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Rosemary | Apr 13 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 53 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Truckee has 53 after Jul 13. | — |
| Sage | May 11 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 13, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 27 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 67 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Truckee has 67 after Jul 13. | — |
| Calendula | May 25 | Jun 22–Jul 6 | 74 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 74 available after Jun 22. | Jul 2 |
| Cosmos | Jun 8 | Jul 6–Jul 20 | 39 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 6, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lavender | Apr 13 | Jul 6–Jul 20 | 74 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 6, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Marigolds | May 25 | Jul 6–Jul 13 | 39 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 6, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Melons | Jun 22 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 11 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Truckee has 11 after Jul 20. | — |
| Mint | — | Jul 6–Jul 20 | 74 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 6, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jun 8 | Jul 6–Jul 13 | 39 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 6, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pole Beans | — | Jul 13–Jul 27 | 32 | no-fit: Needs 65 days; Truckee has 32 after Jul 13. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jun 22 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 18 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Truckee has 18 after Jul 20. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jul 6–Jul 20 | 39 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Truckee has 39 after Jul 6. | — |
| Tomatillos | May 11 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 18 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Truckee has 18 after Jul 13. | — |
| Watermelon | Jun 22 | Jul 13–Jul 20 | 18 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Truckee has 18 after Jul 13. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Jun 22 | Jul 20–Jul 27 | 25 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Truckee has 25 after Jul 20. | — |
| Zinnias | Jun 8 | Jul 6–Jul 20 | 39 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 6, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
Month by month in Truckee
| 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 13), Lavender (Apr 13), Onion (Apr 13), Rosemary (Apr 13), Celery (Apr 27), Collards (Apr 27), +5 more. |
| May | Start indoors: Broccoli (May 11), Brussel Sprouts (May 11), Cabbage (May 11), Lettuce (May 11), Sage (May 11), Swiss Chard (May 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (May 11), Beets (May 11), Dill (May 11), Peas (May 11), Radish (May 11), Spinach (May 11), +1 more. |
| June | Start indoors: Basil (Jun 1), Tomato (Jun 1), Bok Choy (Jun 8), Corn (Jun 8), Cosmos (Jun 8), Nasturtiums (Jun 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jun 8), Turnip (Jun 8), Carrots (Jun 15), Potatoes (Jun 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jun 8), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 8), Cabbage (Jun 8), Collards (Jun 8), Kale (Jun 8), Lettuce (Jun 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jun 1). Last sowing dates: Peas (Jun 17), Cabbage (Jun 26), Carrots (Jun 26), Beets (Jun 27), Dill (Jun 27), Swiss Chard (Jun 27). |
| July | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jul 6), Beans (Jul 13), Pole Beans (Jul 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (Jul 6), Lavender (Jul 6), Marigolds (Jul 6), Mint (Jul 6), Nasturtiums (Jul 6), Zinnias (Jul 6), +23 more. Last frost around July 6. Last sowing dates: Calendula (Jul 2), Cilantro (Jul 2), Collards (Jul 6), Scallions (Jul 6), Bok Choy (Jul 7), Lettuce (Jul 7), +6 more. |
| August | Direct sow from: Garlic (Aug 28). First frost around August 28. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 18). |
| October | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 Truckee, CA (ZIP 96161)?
The median last spring frost date for Truckee, CA (ZIP code 96161) is around July 6. 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 17; one in ten it runs past July 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Truckee, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Truckee, CA is around August 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 August 10 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Truckee, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Truckee is about 53 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 Truckee (53 frost-free days, a short season), 17 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 3 get two plantings, 11 need an indoor start, 2 need a faster variety, 22 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Truckee, CA?
Truckee, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Truckee, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jun 1 and plant out Jul 20 in Truckee. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Truckee?
One spring planting around Jun 8. The last sow date is Jul 7.
When do I plant garlic in Truckee?
Aug 28 to Sep 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Truckee?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Truckee has 53 after Jul 13.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Reno (ZIP 89511) has 134 frost-free days, 81 more than Truckee (ZIP 96161). See Reno ZIP 89511 frost dates
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- When to plant in CA
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