Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 95226 (Calaveras County, CA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Camp Pardee, CA (1 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 88% of years (about 7 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)332 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 95226 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring February to March; fall September to October.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: California coastal and valleys. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Mar 9 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 8–Nov 5
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 22–Nov 12
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 12
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 19
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Radish: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Garlic: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Shallot: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Dec 23 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 22 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 1 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Dec 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 17 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 17 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 10 | Dec 3 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 22 | Dec 17 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Dec 31 (prior Dec) | Dec 27 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 95226
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 22) and first fall frost (Dec 17). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 13–27 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 13–27 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 1–22 (transplant) Dec 25–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 12 (transplant) Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 11–Jan 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 22 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 13–27 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 13–27 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 13–27 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 25–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 11–25 | Jan 8–29 (transplant) Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 18–Jan 29 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 25–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 27–Dec 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 11–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 12–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 11–25 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Jan 29–Feb 5 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 11–25 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 13–27 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Camp Pardee, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00041428), elevation 658 ft, 1.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutter Hill Cdf, CA | 10 mi | Mar 4 | Dec 11 |
| Lodi, CA | 25 mi | Feb 9 | Dec 5 |
| New Melones Dam Hq, CA | 26 mi | Feb 20 | Dec 11 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 44 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 95226
When is the last frost in 95226?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 95226 is January 22. For a more cautious planting date, use March 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 95226?
The average first fall freeze is December 17. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 1.
What hardiness zone is 95226?
ZIP 95226 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 95226 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
95225 95252 Rancho Calaveras 95254 Wallace 95640 Camanche Village 95642 Jackson 95227 95601 Amador City 95638 Clay
Other ZIP codes in Calaveras County
95221 95222 95224 95225 95228 95232 95233 95245 95246 95247 95248 95249 95251 95252 95254 95255 95257 All Calaveras County frost dates · California frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.