Stockton Fire Stn 4, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Stockton Fire Stn 4 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 5
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
306 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 27 Feb 5 Mar 11
First fall frost Jan 6 Dec 8 Nov 17
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 11 · first Dec 23

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the STOCKTON FIRE STN 4 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 Stockton Fire Stn 4

Computed from Stockton Fire Stn 4'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 11 – Dec 25 Feb 12 – Feb 19
🫑 Peppers Nov 27 – Dec 11 Feb 19 – Feb 26
🥬 Lettuce Dec 25 – Jan 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22 Jan 8 – Feb 5
🫛 Peas Dec 25 – Jan 8
🥕 Carrots Jan 15 – Feb 5
🥦 Broccoli Dec 18 – Jan 1 Jan 15 – Jan 29
🥬 Kale Dec 25 – Jan 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22 Jan 8 – Jan 22
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 8 – Jan 15 Feb 12 – Feb 19 Feb 12 – Feb 19
🥒 Zucchini Jan 8 – Jan 15 Feb 12 – Feb 19 Feb 12 – Feb 19
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 12 – Feb 19
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 12 – Feb 19
🌿 Basil Dec 25 – Jan 8 Feb 12 – Feb 19 Feb 19 – Feb 26
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 27 – Nov 24

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 Stockton Fire Stn 4's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Stockton Fire Stn 4

With roughly 306 frost-free days, Stockton Fire Stn 4 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 8 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Stockton Fire Stn 4, CA?

The average last spring frost in Stockton Fire Stn 4 is around Feb 5, 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 Stockton Fire Stn 4, CA?

The average first fall frost in Stockton Fire Stn 4 arrives around Dec 8. 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 Stockton Fire Stn 4?

About 306 frost-free days on average, from Feb 5 to Dec 8. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Stockton Fire Stn 4 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.