Shasta Lake, CA planting zone & frost dates
Shasta Lake is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around February 8 and the first fall frost around December 28, for a growing season of about 322 days.
Planting calendar for Shasta Lake
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 8) 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: Dec 14 – Dec 28 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 30 – Dec 14 Transplant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 30 – Dec 14 Transplant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 30 – Dec 14 Transplant outdoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 30 – Dec 14 Transplant outdoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Nov 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 28).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 26 | Feb 8 | Mar 28 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Feb 18 | Dec 28 | Dec 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 28, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 18.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Shasta Lake
- 96019 zone 9b
- 96079 zone 9b
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Shasta Lake, CA?
Shasta Lake is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Shasta Lake?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Shasta Lake is February 8. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 28.
When can I plant tomatoes in Shasta Lake?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 15 – Feb 22. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Shasta Dam, CA (USC00048135), 5.4 km (3.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 328 m, based on 28 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.