Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 95988 (Willows, 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, Willows 6 W, CA (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)289 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 95988 (Willows)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 95988, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- 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.
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
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 95988 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 Apr 8 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 Sep 27–Oct 25
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 11–Nov 1
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 1
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 8
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 27–Oct 25
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 6: 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 4 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 21 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 9 |
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 16 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 6 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 29 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 2 | Nov 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 21 | Dec 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 5 | Dec 18 |
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 95988
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 21) and first fall frost (Dec 6). 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 27–Jan 10 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 13–27 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 13–27 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Jan 31–Feb 21 (transplant) Jan 24–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 10–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Jan 24–Feb 21 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 13–27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 13–27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 13–27 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 10–24 | Feb 7–28 (transplant) Feb 7–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 17–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 31–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 10–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 10–24 (transplant) | Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Aug 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 14–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 24–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 24–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 24–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 24–31 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 24–31 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 10–24 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Feb 28–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 10–24 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 7–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 13–27 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (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: Willows 6 W, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00049699), elevation 234 ft, 2.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Gorge Rsvr, CA | 14 mi | Apr 5 | Nov 13 |
| East Park Rsvr, CA | 16 mi | Apr 6 | Nov 10 |
| Orland, CA | 18 mi | Feb 25 | Dec 2 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 47 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 95988
When is the last frost in 95988?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 95988 is February 21. For a more cautious planting date, use April 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 95988?
The average first fall freeze is December 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 16.
What hardiness zone is 95988?
ZIP 95988 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 95988 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
95913 Artois 95970 Princeton 95943 95955 Maxwell 95963 Orland 95979 Lodoga 95939 Elk Creek 95920
Other ZIP codes in Glenn County
95913 95920 95939 95943 95951 95963 All Glenn County frost dates · California frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- 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.