Frost Dates for Davis, CA
In Davis, CA, the average last spring frost is around Feb 10 and the average first fall frost around Dec 1, for a growing season of about 295 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Mar 11, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Davis 2 Wsw Exp Farm, CA weather station, 3 miles away, elevation 60 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Mar 11 | Nov 13 |
| 20% | Mar 2 | Nov 19 |
| 30% | Feb 25 | Nov 24 |
| 40% | Feb 18 | Nov 28 |
| 50% | Feb 10 | Dec 1 |
| 60% | Feb 2 | Dec 4 |
| 70% | Jan 27 | Dec 9 |
| 80% | Jan 16 | Dec 15 |
| 90% | Dec 31 | Dec 27 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 22 | Nov 16 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 10 | Dec 1 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 6 | Dec 18 |
Planting calendar for Davis
Transplant Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant Feb 17 – Mar 3
Sow or transplant Feb 17 – Mar 3
Sow or transplant Feb 17 – Mar 3
Sow or transplant Feb 24 – Mar 10
Sow or transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Fall sowing Oct 6 – Nov 3
Fall sowing Oct 6 – Oct 27
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 6
Sow or transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 20
Transplant Jan 27 – Feb 10
Fall sowing Sep 8 – Sep 22
Transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Fall sowing Sep 8 – Sep 22
Fall sowing Sep 8 – Sep 22
Fall sowing Oct 20 – Nov 10
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 6
Plant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Based on the average last frost (Feb 10) and first frost (Dec 1). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.