NEW Melones Dam Hq, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every NEW Melones Dam Hq garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 20
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
294 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 10 Feb 20 Apr 7
First fall frost Jan 8 Dec 11 Nov 24
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 6 · first Dec 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the NEW MELONES DAM HQ station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for NEW Melones Dam Hq

Computed from NEW Melones Dam Hq's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 26 – Jan 9 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🫑 Peppers Dec 12 – Dec 26 Mar 6 – Mar 13
🥬 Lettuce Jan 9 – Jan 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6 Jan 23 – Feb 20
🫛 Peas Jan 9 – Jan 23
🥕 Carrots Jan 30 – Feb 20
🥦 Broccoli Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 30 – Feb 13
🥬 Kale Jan 9 – Jan 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6 Jan 23 – Feb 6
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 23 – Jan 30 Feb 27 – Mar 6 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🥒 Zucchini Jan 23 – Jan 30 Feb 27 – Mar 6 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 27 – Mar 6
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 27 – Mar 6
🌿 Basil Jan 9 – Jan 23 Feb 27 – Mar 6 Mar 6 – Mar 13
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 30 – Nov 27

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use NEW Melones Dam Hq's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in NEW Melones Dam Hq

With roughly 294 frost-free days, NEW Melones Dam Hq gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Dec 11 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in NEW Melones Dam Hq, CA?

The average last spring frost in NEW Melones Dam Hq is around Feb 20, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in NEW Melones Dam Hq, CA?

The average first fall frost in NEW Melones Dam Hq arrives around Dec 11. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in NEW Melones Dam Hq?

About 294 frost-free days on average, from Feb 20 to Dec 11. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is NEW Melones Dam Hq in?

USDA zone 9b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.