Frost Dates for Walnut Creek, CA 94595
Walnut Creek has 4 ZIP codes. The Walnut Creek, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 3 · First fall frost December 13 · 313 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 94595 has about 17,000 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Walnut Creek.
Very long season: 313 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 22–March 27 (64 days).
Frost probability for 94595
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 27 | February 3 | January 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 12 | December 13 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MARTINEZ WTP (16.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 313-day season in Walnut Creek
In Walnut Creek (313 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 | Dec 30 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 271 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 17. | Aug 13 |
| Pepper | Dec 23 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 271 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 17. | Aug 18 |
| Lettuce | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 13 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 22 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 13–Jan 20 | 355 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 355 available after Jan 13. | Oct 11 |
| Cucumber | Jan 13 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Beans | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 23 |
| Peas | — | Dec 9–Feb 17 | 376 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 376 available after Dec 9. | Oct 2 |
| Zucchini | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Onion | Nov 11 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 348 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 348 available after Jan 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 9–Jan 27 | 390 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Nov 10; both mature before Jan 3. | Nov 10 |
| Kale | Nov 25 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Jan 3. | Oct 26 |
| Broccoli | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 348 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 348 available after Jan 6. | Sep 17 |
| Cabbage | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 362 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 362 available after Jan 6. | Oct 11 |
| Radish | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 376 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Nov 11; both mature before Dec 20. | Nov 11 |
| Beets | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 376 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 20–Jan 27 | 334 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 334 available after Jan 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 13 | 418 | overwinter: Plant Dec 13 to Jan 3; harvest the following summer. | Jan 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 30–Feb 24 | 369 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 6 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 285 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 10. | Aug 25 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 17 | 278 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 17. | Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 23 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 327 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 327 available after Jan 27. | Sep 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Jan 20 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 390 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Nov 10; both mature before Jan 3. | Nov 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 9 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 362 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 362 available after Jan 6. | Sep 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 278 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 17. | Jul 31 |
| Eggplant | Dec 16 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 17. | Aug 23 |
| Okra | Jan 6 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Basil | Dec 30 | Feb 24–Feb 24 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 6–Jan 27 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 17 |
| Parsley | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 313 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 10. | Sep 27 |
| Celery | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 313 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 10. | Aug 8 |
| Scallions | Nov 25 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Jan 3. | Oct 21 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Jan 3. | Oct 31 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 23–Jan 6 | 376 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Jan 3. | Oct 26 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 6 | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 22 |
| Collards | Nov 25 | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Jan 3. | Oct 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 271 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 17. | Aug 8 |
| Chives | Nov 11 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 327 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 327 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 9–Mar 3 | 376 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 9 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Oregano | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 327 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 327 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 11 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 313 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Sage | Dec 9 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 327 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 327 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 25 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 327 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 327 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 17 |
| Cosmos | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Lavender | Nov 11 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 334 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 334 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Melons | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 271 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 17. | Aug 8 |
| Mint | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 334 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 334 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 292 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 10. | Sep 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 278 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 17. | Aug 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 299 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 3. | Sep 6 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 9 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 278 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 10. | Aug 18 |
| Watermelon | Jan 20 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 278 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 10. | Aug 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Zinnias | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
Month by month in Walnut Creek
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jan 6), Corn (Jan 6), Cosmos (Jan 6), Nasturtiums (Jan 6), Okra (Jan 6), Zinnias (Jan 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 6), Turnip (Jan 6), Carrots (Jan 13), Potatoes (Jan 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 6), Cabbage (Jan 6), Collards (Jan 6), Kale (Jan 6), Lettuce (Jan 6), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 3). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 3), Beans (Feb 10), Pole Beans (Feb 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Marigolds (Feb 3), Mint (Feb 3), Nasturtiums (Feb 3), Zinnias (Feb 3), +23 more. Last frost around February 3. |
| March | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| 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 31), Pumpkin (Jul 31). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Aug 8), Celery (Aug 8), Melons (Aug 8), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 10), Tomato (Aug 13), Watermelon (Aug 13), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Sep 6), Brussel Sprouts (Sep 11), Pole Beans (Sep 11), Basil (Sep 16), Cosmos (Sep 16), Cucumber (Sep 16), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Peas (Oct 2), Cabbage (Oct 11), Carrots (Oct 11), Beets (Oct 12), Dill (Oct 12), Swiss Chard (Oct 12), +9 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 11), Lavender (Nov 11), Onion (Nov 11), Rosemary (Nov 11), Celery (Nov 25), Collards (Nov 25), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 10), Spinach (Nov 10), Radish (Nov 11). |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 9), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 9), Cabbage (Dec 9), Lettuce (Dec 9), Sage (Dec 9), Swiss Chard (Dec 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 9), Beets (Dec 9), Dill (Dec 9), Peas (Dec 9), Radish (Dec 9), Spinach (Dec 9), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 30). First frost around December 13. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Walnut Creek, CA (ZIP 94595)?
The median last spring frost date for Walnut Creek, CA (ZIP code 94595) is around February 3. 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 March 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Walnut Creek, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Walnut Creek, CA is around December 13. 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 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Walnut Creek, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Walnut Creek is about 313 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 Walnut Creek (313 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 Walnut Creek, CA?
Walnut Creek, 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 Walnut Creek, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 30 and plant out Feb 17 in Walnut Creek. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Walnut Creek?
Two: plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 20.
When do I plant garlic in Walnut Creek?
Dec 13 to Jan 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Walnut Creek?
Yes: plant out Feb 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 13 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Lafayette (ZIP 94549) has 365 frost-free days, 52 more than Walnut Creek (ZIP 94595). See Lafayette ZIP 94549 frost dates
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