Last frost date in Elk Grove, CA

Average last frost
February 2

The average last frost in Elk Grove is February 2. By March 5 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 2, which leaves 301 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 16 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 5
Average first frost
Dec 2
Frost-free season
301 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 4
Next 6 nights in Elk Grove

No frost in the next 6 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2251°
  2. FriOct 2343°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2746°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 2First frost Dec 2301 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND301 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Sacramento Executive Airport, 8.7 miles from Elk Grove.

Planting calendar for Elk Grove

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across California.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
PumpkinsFeb 16–Mar 2
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 23–Mar 9
WatermelonFeb 16–Mar 2
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 23–Mar 9
PeppersFeb 16–Mar 2
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 16–Mar 2
EggplantFeb 16–Mar 2
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 5–Jan 19
OnionsDec 22–Jan 12
CarrotsJan 12–Feb 16
LettuceJan 19–Feb 9
BroccoliJan 5–Jan 19
BeetsJan 5–Feb 16
PeasDec 22–Jan 5
CabbageJan 5–Jan 19
RadishesDec 29–Feb 9
Brussels sproutsJan 19–Feb 2
SpinachDec 22–Jan 12
CilantroJan 19–Feb 9
KaleJan 5–Jan 19
Collard greensJan 5–Jan 19
TurnipsJan 5–Jan 19
DillFeb 2–Feb 16
CeleryFeb 9–Feb 16
CauliflowerJan 19–Feb 2
LeeksJan 19–Feb 2
Swiss chardJan 19–Feb 16
ParsleyJan 19–Feb 9
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 5–Jan 19
AsparagusJan 5–Jan 19

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 2Feb 2Mar 5Nov 16Dec 2Jan 2
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 12Jan 4Feb 1Nov 30Dec 16Jan 14

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Sacramento Executive Airport (USW00023232) sits 8.7 miles from the center of Elk Grove at 15 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Elk Grove, CA?

The average last frost date in Elk Grove is February 2, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 5.

When is the first frost in Elk Grove?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 2. One year in ten it arrives before November 16.

How long is the growing season in Elk Grove?

About 301 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Elk Grove?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in California

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