Frost Dates for Vacaville, CA 95688
Vacaville has 2 ZIP codes. The Vacaville, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 2 · First fall frost November 29 · 272 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95688 has about 40,200 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Vacaville.
Very long season: 272 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 17–April 11 (84 days). Fall frost risk spans November 8–December 15 (37 days).
Frost probability for 95688
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 11 | March 2 | January 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 8 | November 29 | December 15 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at VACAVILLE (6.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 272-day season in Vacaville
In Vacaville (272 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 | 230 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 16. | Jul 30 |
| Pepper | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 230 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 16. | Aug 4 |
| Lettuce | Jan 5 | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 314 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 314 available after Feb 9. | Sep 27 |
| Cucumber | Feb 9 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Beans | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Peas | — | Jan 5–Mar 16 | 335 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 5. | Sep 18 |
| Zucchini | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Onion | Dec 8 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 307 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 5–Feb 23 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Kale | Dec 22 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Jan 5 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 307 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 2. | Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 5 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 321 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 321 available after Feb 2. | Sep 27 |
| Radish | — | Jan 5–Mar 30 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 28 |
| Beets | — | Jan 5–Mar 30 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 293 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 29 | 377 | overwinter: Plant Nov 29 to Dec 20; harvest the following summer. | Dec 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 26–Mar 23 | 328 | 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 | 244 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 9. | Aug 11 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 16 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 16. | Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 286 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 23. | Sep 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 5 | Feb 16–Feb 16 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 5–Mar 30 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 5 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 321 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 321 available after Feb 2. | Aug 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 16. | Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 16. | Aug 9 |
| Okra | Feb 2 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Basil | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Mar 23 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 2–Feb 23 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Parsley | Dec 22 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 272 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 9. | Sep 13 |
| Celery | Dec 22 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 272 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 9. | Jul 25 |
| Scallions | Dec 22 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 2 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Collards | Dec 22 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 230 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 16. | Jul 25 |
| Chives | Dec 8 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 286 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 5–Mar 30 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Oregano | Dec 22 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 286 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 8 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 272 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Sage | Jan 5 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 286 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 22 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 286 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Cosmos | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Lavender | Dec 8 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 293 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 293 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Melons | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 230 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 16. | Jul 25 |
| Mint | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 293 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 293 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 251 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 9. | Aug 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 237 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 16. | Jul 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 258 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 2. | Aug 23 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 5 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 237 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 9. | Aug 4 |
| Watermelon | Feb 16 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 237 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 9. | Jul 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Zinnias | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
Month by month in Vacaville
| 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 17), Pumpkin (Jul 17), Cantaloupe (Jul 25), Celery (Jul 25), Melons (Jul 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 27), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 4), Tomatillos (Aug 4), Eggplant (Aug 9), Corn (Aug 11), Sunflowers (Aug 23), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 28), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 2), Cosmos (Sep 2), Cucumber (Sep 2), Zinnias (Sep 2), Broccoli (Sep 3), Nasturtiums (Sep 7), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 3), Cilantro (Oct 3), Collards (Oct 7), Scallions (Oct 7), Bok Choy (Oct 8), Lettuce (Oct 8), +6 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 29). First frost around November 29. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 8), Lavender (Dec 8), Onion (Dec 8), Rosemary (Dec 8), Celery (Dec 22), Collards (Dec 22), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 20). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Vacaville, CA (ZIP 95688)?
The median last spring frost date for Vacaville, CA (ZIP code 95688) 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 17; one in ten it runs past April 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Vacaville, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Vacaville, CA is around November 29. 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 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Vacaville, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Vacaville is about 272 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 Vacaville (272 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 Vacaville, CA?
Vacaville, 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 Vacaville, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 26 and plant out Mar 16 in Vacaville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Vacaville?
Two: plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6.
When do I plant garlic in Vacaville?
Nov 29 to Dec 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Vacaville?
Yes: plant out Mar 16 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 30 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Vacaville (ZIP 95687) has 300 frost-free days, 28 more than Vacaville (ZIP 95688). See Vacaville ZIP 95687 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Vacaville, CA 95687 (8.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Fairfield, CA 94533 (9.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Winters, CA 95694 (9.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Fairfield, CA 94534 (13.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Napa, CA 94558 (14.3 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