Redding, CA planting zone & frost dates

Redding is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 3 and the first fall frost around November 21, for a growing season of about 261 days.

USDA hardiness zone9bavg. extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F

Average last spring frostMarch 390% chance of no frost after April 9

Average first fall frostNovember 2110% chance of frost by November 7

Growing season261 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Redding

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 3) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Jan 6 – Jan 20 Transplant outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peas	Sow outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17
Beans	Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 26 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 21).

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Jan 31	Mar 3	Apr 9
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Dec 7	Nov 21	Nov 7

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 9, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 7. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 27.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Redding

96001 zone 9b
96002 zone 9a
96003 zone 9b
96049 zone 9b
96099 zone 9b

Nearby cities

Shasta Lake zone 9b, last frost Feb 8
Anderson zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
Red Bluff zone 9a, last frost Feb 22
Chico zone 9a, last frost Mar 4
Magalia zone 8b, last frost Apr 17
Paradise zone 9b, last frost Feb 7
Oroville zone 9b, last frost Jan 30
Yuba City zone 9b, last frost Jan 15

All cities in California → · Other zone 9b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Redding, CA?

Redding is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 9a.

When is the last frost in Redding?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Redding is March 3. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 9.

When can I plant tomatoes in Redding?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 10 – Mar 17. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Redding Muni Ap, CA (USW00024257), 11.0 km (6.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 152 m, based on 25 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.