Frost Dates for Turlock, CA
In Turlock, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 6 and the average first fall frost around Dec 20, for a growing season of about 351 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Jan 31, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Turlock #2, CA weather station, under 1 mile away, elevation 103 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% | Jan 31 | Dec 3 |
| 20% | Jan 24 | Dec 8 |
| 30% | Jan 16 | Dec 11 |
| 40% | Jan 11 | Dec 17 |
| 50% | Jan 6 | Dec 20 |
| 60% | Jan 1 | Dec 26 |
| 70% | Dec 29 | Dec 31 |
| 80% | Dec 23 | Jan 6 |
| 90% | Dec 14 | Jan 16 |
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) | Jan 31 | Dec 7 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 6 | Dec 20 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 30 | Dec 24 |
Planting calendar for Turlock
Transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Sow or transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Sow or transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Sow or transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Sow or transplant Dec 9 – Dec 23
Fall sowing Oct 25 – Nov 22
Fall sowing Oct 25 – Nov 15
Fall sowing Oct 11 – Oct 25
Sow or transplant Dec 9 – Dec 23
Fall sowing Oct 11 – Nov 8
Transplant Dec 23 – Jan 6
Fall sowing Sep 27 – Oct 11
Transplant Dec 16 – Dec 30
Fall sowing Sep 27 – Oct 11
Fall sowing Sep 27 – Oct 11
Fall sowing Nov 8 – Nov 29
Fall sowing Oct 11 – Oct 25
Plant Dec 9 – Dec 23
Based on the average last frost (Jan 6) and first frost (Dec 20). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.