Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for Lake Spaulding, CA

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the spring

As spring unfolds, the risk of frost gradually decreases each day until your tender plants are finally safe. The probabilities shown in the chart help you make smart decisions about when to plant.

While frost typically forms at 32°F, tender plants can be damaged even when temperatures are slightly higher. Air temperatures are often measured several feet above the ground, but temperatures at plant level can be several degrees colder. Protected areas like porches help by blocking radiational cooling. Given these variables, we consider 36°F the "caution zone" for frost-sensitive plants.

Key dates for your spring planting:

  • By July 15, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
  • Around June 28, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
  • Before June 16, there's still an 80% risk of frost — too early for tomatoes and other tender plants unless you're prepared to protect them

If the 10-day forecast shows no temperatures below 40°F, you might safely plant earlier than the above dates suggest. Many gardeners watch for this weather window to get a head start on the growing season.

In the Spring
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Last 16° Apr 20 Apr 10 Apr 3 Mar 28 Mar 22 Mar 16 Mar 10 Mar 2 Feb 18
Last 20° May 8 Apr 27 Apr 19 Apr 12 Apr 5 Mar 30 Mar 23 Mar 15 Mar 4
Last 24° May 18 May 10 May 5 Apr 30 Apr 25 Apr 21 Apr 16 Apr 10 Apr 3
Last 28° Jun 7 May 31 May 26 May 22 May 18 May 14 May 10 May 5 Apr 28
Last 32° Jul 3 Jun 25 Jun 20 Jun 15 Jun 11 Jun 6 Jun 2 May 27 May 20
Last 36° Jul 15 Jul 9 Jul 5 Jul 1 Jun 28 Jun 24 Jun 20 Jun 16 Jun 10

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall

As summer ends in Lake Spaulding, CA, nighttime temperatures begin to drop, and your risk of frost increases with each passing day. Knowing when to expect frost helps you harvest sensitive crops and extend your growing season with protection methods.

The chart below shows the probability of experiencing specific temperatures on various dates. Here's what this means for your garden:

1
Early warning: Around September 14, there's a 20% chance of 32°F — start monitoring forecasts and have plant covers ready
2
Decision time: By October 1, there's a 50% chance of frost — harvest tomatoes, peppers, and other tender crops or prepare protection
3
Last chance: By October 17, there's an 80% chance of seeing 32°F — most tender plants will be damaged without protection
4
Another perspective: You have only a 1 in 5 chance of making it past October 17 without a freezing night

These probabilities help you time your end-of-season harvests and know when to apply protective measures like row covers, cloches, or cold frames to extend your harvest.

In the Fall
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
First 16° Nov 9 Nov 18 Nov 25 Dec 1 Dec 6 Dec 12 Dec 18 Dec 25 Jan 5
First 20° Nov 2 Nov 9 Nov 15 Nov 19 Nov 23 Nov 27 Dec 2 Dec 7 Dec 14
First 24° Oct 15 Oct 23 Oct 28 Nov 2 Nov 7 Nov 11 Nov 16 Nov 22 Nov 30
First 28° Sep 24 Oct 2 Oct 8 Oct 14 Oct 19 Oct 23 Oct 29 Nov 4 Nov 12
First 32° Sep 5 Sep 14 Sep 20 Sep 26 Oct 1 Oct 6 Oct 11 Oct 17 Oct 26
First 36° Aug 14 Aug 22 Aug 27 Sep 1 Sep 5 Sep 10 Sep 14 Sep 20 Sep 27

📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations

Or enter a new zipcode:

Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.