Merced, California planting calendar and frost dates
Merced is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost typically comes around February 26 and the first fall frost around November 25, giving about 273 frost-free days a year.
- Typical last frost
- February 26
- Typical first frost
- November 25
- Frost-free season
- 273 days
Frost dates in Merced
Last spring frost
- January 20Risky: frost later than this in 9 years out of 10
- February 26Typical: a later frost in half of years
- April 1Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10
First fall frost
- November 9Risky: frost earlier than this 1 year in 10
- November 25Typical: an earlier frost in half of years
- December 16Late: frost before this in 9 years out of 10
The growing season between the typical last and first frosts is about 273 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 January 22 and returns around December 10.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Merced Muni Airport, 3.8 miles N 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 Merced
January
Start indoors: black-eyed susans, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collard greens, ginger, leeks, lettuce, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, peppers, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, sage, snapdragons, spinach, swiss chard
Plant or sow outdoors: beets, black-eyed susans, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collard greens, figs, garlic, gladioli, grapes, grass seed, hollyhocks, kale, leeks, onions, peas, poppies, radishes, ranunculus, raspberries, rhubarb, roses, spinach, strawberries, swiss chard, turnips, wildflowers
February
Start indoors: basil, celery, eggplants, peppers, ranunculus, tomatoes
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, beets, black-eyed susans, blackberries, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, collard greens, dahlias, dill, figs, garden mums, gladioli, grapes, green onions, lavenders, leeks, lettuce, lilies, marigolds, mints, nasturtiums, onions, oregano, parsley, petunias, potatoes, radishes, ranunculus, rosemary, roses, sage, snapdragons, spinach, sunflowers, sweet corn, swiss chard, thyme, turnips
March
Start indoors: basil, cantaloupes, cosmos, cucumbers, okra, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelons, winter squash, zucchini
Plant or sow outdoors: asparagus, chives, cilantro, dahlias, dill, garden mums, ginger, gladioli, grapes, green onions, kentucky bluegrass, lavenders, lettuce, lilies, marigolds, mints, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, petunias, ranunculus, rosemary, sage, spinach, sunflowers, sweet corn, sweet peas, swiss chard, tall fescue, thyme
April
Start indoors: cosmos, cucumbers, okra, pumpkins, winter squash, zinnias, zucchini
Plant or sow outdoors: basil, cantaloupes, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, green onions, peppers, pumpkins, st. augustinegrass, 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
August
Plant for fall: brussels sprouts, collard greens, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, sweet corn, swiss chard, tomatoes
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, peppers, radishes, roses, saffron, snapdragons, spinach, sweet corn, swiss chard, turnips, zucchini
October
Plant for fall: azaleas, bearded irises, beets, broccoli, 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, turnips
November
Start indoors: onions
Plant for fall: crocuses, daffodils, daylilies, 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 Merced
All 3 of Merced's main ZIP codes take their frost dates from Merced Muni Airport, so the dates on this page apply across the city. The hardiness zone is 9a in 95340, 95341, and 9b in 95348.
Planting dates for popular crops in Merced
| Plant | Start indoors | Plant or sow outdoors | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 to Mar 7 | Apr 18 to May 2 | Aug 12 to 19 |
| Strawberries | — | Jan 15 to 29 | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 1 to 15 | Feb 19 to Mar 5 | Aug 26 to Sep 30 |
| Cilantro | Jan 15 to 29 | Feb 26 to Mar 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 to Mar 14 | Apr 18 to 25 | — |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 12 to 19 | Aug 5 to 12 |
| Garlic | — | Jan 15 to 29 | Nov 25 to Dec 9 |
| Onions | Nov 6 to Dec 18 | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | — |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 to Apr 4 | Apr 18 to May 2 | Aug 26 to Sep 9 |
| Pumpkins | Mar 21 to Apr 4 | Apr 18 to May 2 | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 to Feb 28 | Apr 18 to May 2 | Aug 5 to Sep 2 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 5 to 26 | Sep 2 to 23 |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 to 13 | — |
| Watermelons | Mar 14 to 28 | Apr 18 to May 2 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | Feb 26 to Mar 12 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | Apr 18 to May 2 | Sep 2 to 9 |
| Zucchini | Mar 21 to Apr 4 | Apr 18 to May 2 | Sep 2 to 16 |
| Broccoli | Dec 11 to Jan 1 | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Peas | — | Jan 15 to 29 | Sep 2 to 16 |
| Spinach | Jan 15 to 22 | Feb 19 to Mar 5 | Sep 16 to Oct 21 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 26 to Mar 19 | — |
| Zinnias | Apr 30 to May 7 | May 28 to Jun 11 | — |
| Tulips | — | — | Oct 14 to Dec 9 |
| Daffodils | — | — | Oct 14 to Nov 25 |
| Grass Seed | — | Jan 15 to 29 | Oct 14 to 28 |
Nearby cities
- Turlock, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 6
- Madera, CA zone 9a, last frost Feb 12
- Modesto, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 31
- Fresno, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 14
- Manteca, CA zone 9b, last frost Feb 6
- Clovis, CA zone 9b, last frost Jan 14
Planting in CaliforniaAbout zone 9aPrintable calendar for Merced
Questions
When is the last frost in Merced?
Around February 26 in a typical year, based on NOAA's 1991-2020 records for Merced Muni Airport. There is still a 1 in 10 chance of frost after April 1.
What planting zone is Merced in?
USDA hardiness zone 9a (2023 map), with parts of the city in zone 9b. The zone tells you which perennials survive the winter; planting dates depend on frost dates instead.
When should I plant tomatoes in Merced?
Start seeds indoors February 21 to March 7 and set plants out April 18 to May 2.
When is the first frost in Merced?
Around November 25 in a typical year, and before November 9 about 1 year in 10.