Harman US

Frost Dates for Lake Don Pedro, CA

Last spring frost
Apr 22
First fall frost
Nov 2
Growing season
192 days
Hardiness zone
9b

In an average year around Lake Don Pedro, CA, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Apr 22 and the first fall frost is about Nov 2, giving roughly a 192-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Apr 5 before setting out tender plants.

Last spring frost

Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.

Last spring frost - Lake Don Pedro, CA
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) May 30 May 11 Apr 25
Freeze (32°F) May 14 Apr 22 Apr 5
Hard (28°F) Apr 22 Mar 29 Mar 5
Severe (24°F) Mar 25 Feb 27 Jan 20
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F May 30 May 25 May 18 May 14 May 11 May 8 May 4 Apr 30 Apr 25
32°F May 14 May 7 May 1 Apr 27 Apr 22 Apr 18 Apr 14 Apr 9 Apr 5
28°F Apr 22 Apr 13 Apr 7 Apr 2 Mar 29 Mar 25 Mar 19 Mar 13 Mar 5
24°F Mar 25 Mar 15 Mar 9 Mar 3 Feb 27 Feb 21 Feb 12 Feb 4 Jan 20
20°F Mar 1 Feb 21 Feb 10 Feb 3 Jan 23 Jan 14 Jan 5 Dec 31 Dec 20
16°F Feb 7 Jan 29 Jan 18 Jan 11 Jan 5 Jan 1 Dec 29 Dec 21 Dec 11

First fall frost

Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.

First fall frost - Lake Don Pedro, CA
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Sep 27 Oct 14 Nov 2
Freeze (32°F) Oct 13 Nov 2 Nov 20
Hard (28°F) Oct 30 Nov 19 Dec 7
Severe (24°F) Nov 15 Dec 4 Dec 29
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Sep 27 Oct 1 Oct 6 Oct 11 Oct 14 Oct 18 Oct 22 Oct 28 Nov 2
32°F Oct 13 Oct 20 Oct 26 Oct 30 Nov 2 Nov 5 Nov 8 Nov 13 Nov 20
28°F Oct 30 Nov 5 Nov 9 Nov 14 Nov 19 Nov 23 Nov 26 Dec 1 Dec 7
24°F Nov 15 Nov 21 Nov 26 Dec 1 Dec 4 Dec 9 Dec 14 Dec 19 Dec 29
20°F Nov 29 Dec 6 Dec 14 Dec 19 Dec 25 Dec 29 Jan 3 Jan 14 Jan 31
16°F Dec 7 Dec 18 Dec 25 Dec 29 Jan 2 Jan 6 Jan 12 Jan 22 Feb 3

Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.

Where this data comes from

These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Groveland 2, Ca, about 15.6 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 2,800 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.

@endif
How we calculate these dates

Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Lake Don Pedro, CA?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Lake Don Pedro, CA is about Apr 22. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Apr 5.

When is the first frost in the fall?

The first fall frost around Lake Don Pedro, CA typically arrives about Nov 2. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.

When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?

Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Apr 22 on average, or Apr 5 to be safe most years.

How long is the growing season here?

The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 192 days in a typical year.

Are these dates a forecast for this year?

No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.

Local weather for 95329 Planting calendar → California frost dates →

Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026