Vacaville, CA planting zone & frost dates
Vacaville is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around February 18 and the first fall frost around November 28, for a growing season of about 283 days.
Planting calendar for Vacaville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 18) 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 24 – Jan 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 Transplant outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 Transplant outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 Transplant outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 3 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 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 | Jan 11 | Feb 18 | Mar 25 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 18 | Nov 28 | Nov 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 25, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 15.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Vacaville
- 95687 zone 9b
- 95688 zone 9b
- 95696 zone 9b
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Vacaville, CA?
Vacaville 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 Vacaville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Vacaville is February 18. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 25.
When can I plant tomatoes in Vacaville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 25 – Mar 4. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Vacaville Nut Tree Ap, CA (USW00093241), 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 33 m, based on 17 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.