Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 95310 (Columbia, 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, New Melones Dam Hq, CA (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)290 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°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
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 57°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Yosemite Village 12 W (38 mi).
4-inch depth
63°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Yosemite Village 12 W (38 mi).
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 95310 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 63°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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 Apr 7 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 2–30
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 16–Nov 6
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 16–Nov 6
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 16–Nov 13
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 2–30
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 13
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 27
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 27
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 11: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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) | Jan 10 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 7 |
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) | Nov 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 11 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 8 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 7 | Nov 24 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 20 | Dec 11 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 6 | Dec 24 |
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 95310
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 20) and first fall frost (Dec 11). 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 | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 12–26 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 12–26 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 30–Feb 20 (transplant) Jan 23–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–Nov 6 (transplant) Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (transplant) Sep 4–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 23–Feb 20 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (transplant) Sep 4–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 12–26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 12–26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 11 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–27 (transplant) Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 16–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 9–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 30–Nov 27 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 9–23 (transplant) | Oct 30–Nov 27 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 23–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 23–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 23–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 23–30 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 23–30 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 9–23 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Feb 27–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 9–23 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Oct 2–30 (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: New Melones Dam Hq, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00046174), elevation 960 ft, 8.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonora, CA | 8 mi | Apr 9 | Nov 9 |
| Calaveras Big Trees, CA | 14 mi | May 7 | Oct 28 |
| Groveland 2, CA | 19 mi | Apr 22 | Nov 2 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 80 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 95310
When is the last frost in 95310?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 95310 is February 20. For a more cautious planting date, use April 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 95310?
The average first fall freeze is December 11. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 24.
What hardiness zone is 95310?
ZIP 95310 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 95310 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
95251 Vallecito 95247 Murphys 95233 Avery 95370 Phoenix Lake 95383 Twain Harte 95372 Soulsbyville 95221 Angels 95224 Avery
Other ZIP codes in Tuolumne County
95305 95309 95321 95327 95329 95335 95346 95364 95370 95372 95375 95379 95383 All Tuolumne County frost dates · California frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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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.