Frost Dates for Merced, CA
In Merced, CA, the average last spring frost is around Mar 3 and the average first fall frost around Nov 24, for a growing season of about 263 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 10, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Merced, CA weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 154 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% | Apr 10 | Nov 5 |
| 20% | Mar 30 | Nov 11 |
| 30% | Mar 19 | Nov 16 |
| 40% | Mar 11 | Nov 21 |
| 50% | Mar 3 | Nov 24 |
| 60% | Feb 27 | Nov 27 |
| 70% | Feb 22 | Dec 1 |
| 80% | Feb 13 | Dec 5 |
| 90% | Feb 2 | Dec 14 |
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) | Apr 7 | Nov 8 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 | Nov 24 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 | Dec 11 |
Planting calendar for Merced
Transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Sow or transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Sow or transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Sow or transplant Mar 17 – Mar 31
Sow or transplant Feb 3 – Feb 17
Fall sowing Sep 29 – Oct 27
Fall sowing Sep 29 – Oct 20
Fall sowing Sep 15 – Sep 29
Sow or transplant Feb 3 – Feb 17
Fall sowing Sep 15 – Oct 13
Transplant Feb 17 – Mar 3
Fall sowing Sep 1 – Sep 15
Transplant Feb 10 – Feb 24
Fall sowing Sep 1 – Sep 15
Fall sowing Sep 1 – Sep 15
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Nov 3
Fall sowing Sep 15 – Sep 29
Plant Feb 3 – Feb 17
Based on the average last frost (Mar 3) and first frost (Nov 24). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.