Dobbins 1 S, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Dobbins 1 S garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 1
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 17
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
230 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 4 Apr 1 Apr 22
First fall frost Dec 5 Nov 17 Oct 31
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 27 · first Dec 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the DOBBINS 1 S station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Dobbins 1 S

Computed from Dobbins 1 S's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 4 – Feb 18 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🫑 Peppers Jan 21 – Feb 4 Apr 15 – Apr 22
🥬 Lettuce Feb 18 – Mar 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18 Mar 4 – Apr 1
🫛 Peas Feb 18 – Mar 4
🥕 Carrots Mar 11 – Apr 1
🥦 Broccoli Feb 11 – Feb 25 Mar 11 – Mar 25
🥬 Kale Feb 18 – Mar 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18 Mar 4 – Mar 18
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 4 – Mar 11 Apr 8 – Apr 15 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🥒 Zucchini Mar 4 – Mar 11 Apr 8 – Apr 15 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 8 – Apr 15
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 8 – Apr 15
🌿 Basil Feb 18 – Mar 4 Apr 8 – Apr 15 Apr 15 – Apr 22
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 6 – Nov 3

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Dobbins 1 S's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Dobbins 1 S

With roughly 230 frost-free days, Dobbins 1 S gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 17 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Dobbins 1 S, CA?

The average last spring frost in Dobbins 1 S is around Apr 1, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Dobbins 1 S, CA?

The average first fall frost in Dobbins 1 S arrives around Nov 17. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Dobbins 1 S?

About 230 frost-free days on average, from Apr 1 to Nov 17. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Dobbins 1 S in?

USDA zone 9b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.