Chico, California planting calendar and frost dates
Chico is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost typically comes around March 4 and the first fall frost around November 17, giving about 257 frost-free days a year.
- Typical last frost
- March 4
- Typical first frost
- November 17
- Frost-free season
- 257 days
Frost dates in Chico
Last spring frost
- February 8Risky: frost later than this in 9 years out of 10
- March 4Typical: a later frost in half of years
- April 2Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10
First fall frost
- November 1Risky: frost earlier than this 1 year in 10
- November 17Typical: an earlier frost in half of years
- December 5Late: frost before this in 9 years out of 10
The growing season between the typical last and first frosts is about 257 days. Frost here means a low of 32°F at the weather station. A hard freeze (28°F), which damages most hardy crops too, typically ends around February 5 and returns around December 3.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Chico Univ Farm, 2.7 miles SSE of the city center. Low-lying and rural spots often frost later in spring and earlier in fall than airports and city centers.
What to plant each month in Chico
January
Start indoors: black-eyed susans, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collard greens, ginger, leeks, lettuce, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, sage, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard
Plant or sow outdoors: black-eyed susans, blueberries, garlic, grapes, grass seed, hollyhocks, kale, onions, peas, poppies, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, turnips, wildflowers
February
Start indoors: celery, cilantro, eggplants, ginger, marigolds, nasturtiums, peppers, ranunculus, tomatoes
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, beets, black-eyed susans, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collard greens, dahlias, dill, figs, garlic, gladioli, grapes, grass seed, green onions, hollyhocks, kale, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsley, peas, poppies, potatoes, radishes, ranunculus, raspberries, rhubarb, roses, snapdragons, spinach, strawberries, swiss chard, turnips, wildflowers
March
Start indoors: basil, cantaloupes, cosmos, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash, zucchini
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, beets, carrots, chives, cilantro, dahlias, dill, figs, garden mums, ginger, gladioli, grapes, green onions, kentucky bluegrass, lavenders, leeks, lettuce, lilies, marigolds, mints, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, roses, sage, snapdragons, spinach, sunflowers, sweet corn, sweet peas, swiss chard, tall fescue, thyme
April
Start indoors: cosmos, cucumbers, okra, pumpkins, winter squash, zucchini
Plant or sow outdoors: basil, cantaloupes, cucumbers, eggplants, garden mums, ginger, green beans, green onions, kentucky bluegrass, peppers, pumpkins, st. augustinegrass, sweet peas, tall fescue, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash, zucchini
May
Start indoors: zinnias
Plant or sow outdoors: bermudagrass, cantaloupes, celery, centipedegrass, cosmos, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, okra, peanuts, peppers, pumpkins, st. augustinegrass, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash, zinnias, zoysiagrass, zucchini
June
Plant or sow outdoors: bermudagrass, centipedegrass, zinnias, zoysiagrass
July
August
Plant for fall: bearded irises, brussels sprouts, carrots, collard greens, cucumbers, green beans, lettuce, peas, peppers, potatoes, snapdragons, sweet corn, swiss chard, tomatoes, zucchini
September
Plant for fall: azaleas, bearded irises, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, clematis, collard greens, coneflowers, cucumbers, daylilies, green beans, hostas, hydrangeas, kale, lettuce, peas, radishes, roses, saffron, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard, turnips, zucchini
October
Plant for fall: azaleas, bearded irises, cabbages, cauliflower, clematis, coneflowers, crocuses, daffodils, daylilies, grass seed, hostas, hyacinths, hydrangeas, kale, kentucky bluegrass, lilies, ornamental alliums, peonies, perennial ryegrass, radishes, roses, saffron, spinach, tall fescue, tulips
November
Start indoors: onions
Plant for fall: crocuses, daffodils, garlic, hyacinths, lilies, ornamental alliums, peonies, tulips
December
Start indoors: broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, leeks, onions, oregano, parsley, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, snapdragons
Plant for fall: crocuses, garlic, hyacinths, ornamental alliums, tulips
Frost dates and zones by ZIP code in Chico
All 3 of Chico's main ZIP codes take their frost dates from Chico Univ Farm, so the dates on this page apply across the city. Every one of them is in zone 9b.
Planting dates for popular crops in Chico
| Plant | Start indoors | Plant or sow outdoors | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 to Mar 10 | Apr 21 to May 5 | Aug 4 to 11 |
| Strawberries | — | Jan 21 to Feb 4 | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 7 to 21 | Feb 25 to Mar 11 | Aug 18 to Sep 22 |
| Cilantro | Jan 21 to Feb 4 | Mar 4 to 11 | — |
| Basil | Mar 3 to 17 | Apr 21 to 28 | — |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 13 to 20 | Jul 28 to Aug 4 |
| Garlic | — | Jan 21 to Feb 4 | Nov 17 to Dec 1 |
| Onions | Nov 12 to Dec 24 | Feb 4 to 18 | — |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 to Apr 7 | Apr 21 to May 5 | Aug 18 to Sep 1 |
| Pumpkins | Mar 24 to Apr 7 | Apr 21 to May 5 | — |
| Peppers | Feb 3 to Mar 3 | Apr 21 to May 5 | Jul 28 to Aug 25 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 11 to Mar 4 | Aug 25 to Sep 15 |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 to 16 | — |
| Watermelons | Mar 17 to 31 | Apr 21 to May 5 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | Mar 4 to 18 | Aug 11 to 25 |
| Green Beans | — | Apr 21 to May 5 | Aug 25 to Sep 1 |
| Zucchini | Mar 24 to Apr 7 | Apr 21 to May 5 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Dec 17 to Jan 7 | Feb 4 to 18 | Sep 1 to 29 |
| Peas | — | Jan 21 to Feb 4 | Aug 25 to Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Jan 21 to 28 | Feb 25 to Mar 11 | Sep 8 to Oct 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 4 to 25 | — |
| Zinnias | May 3 to 10 | May 31 to Jun 14 | — |
| Tulips | — | — | Oct 6 to Dec 1 |
| Daffodils | — | — | Oct 6 to Nov 17 |
| Grass Seed | — | Jan 21 to Feb 4 | Oct 6 to 20 |
Nearby cities
- Yuba City, CA zone 9b, last frost Feb 11
- Redding, CA zone 9b, last frost Feb 8
- Lincoln, CA zone 9a, last frost Feb 11
- Rocklin, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 12
- Roseville, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 12
- Woodland, CA zone 9b, last frost Feb 7
Planting in CaliforniaAbout zone 9bPrintable calendar for Chico
Questions
When is the last frost in Chico?
Around March 4 in a typical year, based on NOAA's 1991-2020 records for Chico Univ Farm. There is still a 1 in 10 chance of frost after April 2.
What planting zone is Chico in?
USDA hardiness zone 9b (2023 map), with parts of the city in zone 9a. The zone tells you which perennials survive the winter; planting dates depend on frost dates instead.
When should I plant tomatoes in Chico?
Start seeds indoors February 24 to March 10 and set plants out April 21 to May 5.
When is the first frost in Chico?
Around November 17 in a typical year, and before November 1 about 1 year in 10.