Frost Dates for Willits, CA 95490
Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost October 21 · 172 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 95490 has about 14,700 people.
Moderate season: 172 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 10–May 24 (44 days). Fall frost risk spans October 6–November 5 (30 days).
Frost probability for 95490
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 24 | May 2 | April 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 6 | October 21 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COVELO (37.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 172-day season in Willits
In Willits (172 frost-free days, a moderate 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 | Mar 28 | May 16–May 23 | 130 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 130 available after May 16. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 21 | May 16–May 23 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 16. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 11. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Mar 7–May 16 | 235 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 7. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Feb 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 207 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 7–Apr 25 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 207 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 4. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 4. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 277 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 28–May 23 | 228 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 9. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 18 | May 16–May 16 | 137 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 137 available after May 16. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 9 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 25. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 4. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 137 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 137 available after May 16. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 130 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 130 available after May 16. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 28 | May 23–May 23 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 23 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 4–Apr 25 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after May 9. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 21 | May 9–May 23 | 172 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 172 available after May 9. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 130 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 130 available after May 16. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after May 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after May 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after May 9. | — |
| Sage | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after May 9. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after May 9. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Feb 7 | May 2–May 16 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after May 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 130 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 130 available after May 16. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | May 2–May 16 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after May 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 151 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 151 available after May 9. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 137 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 137 available after May 16. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 2–May 16 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after May 2. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 9. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Apr 18 | May 9–May 16 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 9. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Willits
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| 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 Willits, CA (ZIP 95490)?
The median last spring frost date for Willits, CA (ZIP code 95490) is around May 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 April 10; one in ten it runs past May 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Willits, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Willits, CA is around October 21. 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 October 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Willits, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Willits is about 172 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 Willits (172 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Willits, CA?
Willits, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Willits, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Willits. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Willits?
Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Willits?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Fort Bragg (ZIP 95437) has 243 frost-free days, 71 more than Willits (ZIP 95490). See Fort Bragg ZIP 95437 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Fort Bragg, CA 95437 (18.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Ukiah, CA 95482 (23.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Lakeport, CA 95453 (37.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Kelseyville, CA 95451 (47.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Cloverdale, CA 95425 (49.3 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