Sutter Hill Cdf, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Sutter Hill Cdf garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 4
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
282 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 6 Mar 4 Apr 8
First fall frost Jan 4 Dec 11 Nov 19
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 10 · first Dec 27

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SUTTER HILL CDF 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 Sutter Hill Cdf

Computed from Sutter Hill Cdf'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 Jan 7 – Jan 21 Mar 11 – Mar 18
🫑 Peppers Dec 24 – Jan 7 Mar 18 – Mar 25
🥬 Lettuce Jan 21 – Feb 4 Feb 4 – Feb 18 Feb 4 – Mar 4
🫛 Peas Jan 21 – Feb 4
🥕 Carrots Feb 11 – Mar 4
🥦 Broccoli Jan 14 – Jan 28 Feb 11 – Feb 25
🥬 Kale Jan 21 – Feb 4 Feb 4 – Feb 18 Feb 4 – Feb 18
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 4 – Feb 11 Mar 11 – Mar 18 Mar 11 – Mar 18
🥒 Zucchini Feb 4 – Feb 11 Mar 11 – Mar 18 Mar 11 – Mar 18
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 11 – Mar 18
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 11 – Mar 18
🌿 Basil Jan 21 – Feb 4 Mar 11 – Mar 18 Mar 18 – Mar 25
🧄 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 Sutter Hill Cdf's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Sutter Hill Cdf

With roughly 282 frost-free days, Sutter Hill Cdf 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 Sutter Hill Cdf, CA?

The average last spring frost in Sutter Hill Cdf is around Mar 4, 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 Sutter Hill Cdf, CA?

The average first fall frost in Sutter Hill Cdf 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 Sutter Hill Cdf?

About 282 frost-free days on average, from Mar 4 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 Sutter Hill Cdf 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.