Last frost date in Lincoln, CA

Average last frost

February 25

In Lincoln, the last spring frost comes around February 25 in an average year. Wait until April 7 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 5, which leaves 286 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 15 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): Apr 7
Average first frost: Dec 5
Frost-free season: 286 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: Jan 13

Next 6 nights in Lincoln

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

ThuOct 2250°
FriOct 2342°
SatOct 2443°
SunOct 2546°
MonOct 2645°
TueOct 2745°

Frost risk through the year at Auburn, 11.5 miles from Lincoln.

Planting calendar for Lincoln

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

TomatoesMar 4–Mar 18

PumpkinsMar 11–Mar 25

SunflowersFeb 25–Mar 18

CucumbersMar 11–Mar 18

CornMar 4–Mar 18

Sweet potatoesMar 18–Apr 1

WatermelonMar 11–Mar 25

Green beansMar 4–Mar 25

ZucchiniMar 4–Mar 18

OkraMar 18–Apr 1

PeppersMar 11–Mar 25

BasilMar 4–Mar 18

Butternut squashMar 4–Mar 18

CantaloupeMar 11–Mar 25

EggplantMar 11–Mar 25

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesJan 28–Feb 11

OnionsJan 14–Feb 4

CarrotsFeb 4–Mar 11

LettuceFeb 11–Mar 4

BroccoliJan 28–Feb 11

BeetsJan 28–Mar 11

PeasJan 14–Jan 28

CabbageJan 28–Feb 11

RadishesJan 21–Mar 4

Brussels sproutsFeb 11–Feb 25

SpinachJan 14–Feb 4

CilantroFeb 11–Mar 4

KaleJan 28–Feb 11

Collard greensJan 28–Feb 11

TurnipsJan 28–Feb 11

DillFeb 25–Mar 11

CeleryMar 4–Mar 11

CauliflowerFeb 11–Feb 25

LeeksFeb 11–Feb 25

Swiss chardFeb 11–Mar 11

ParsleyFeb 11–Mar 4

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15

GarlicOct 15–Nov 30

Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesJan 28–Feb 11

AsparagusJan 28–Feb 11

Frost probabilities

Threshold	Spring, 90% chance later	Spring, 50%	Spring, 10%	Fall, 10% chance earlier	Fall, 50%	Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°F	Jan 15	Feb 25	Apr 7	Nov 15	Dec 5	Dec 31
Hard freeze, 28°F	Dec 19	Jan 13	Feb 25	Dec 1	Dec 22	Jan 22

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 Auburn (USC00040383) sits 11.5 miles from the center of Lincoln at 1,292 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 Lincoln, CA?

The average last frost date in Lincoln is February 25, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 7.

When is the first frost in Lincoln?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 5. One year in ten it arrives before November 15.

How long is the growing season in Lincoln?

About 286 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lincoln?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 4 to March 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in California

All 348 cities in California