Ft Bragg 5 N, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Ft Bragg 5 N garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 2
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 1
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
274 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 8 Mar 2 Apr 6
First fall frost Jan 11 Dec 1 Nov 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 7 · first Dec 21

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FT BRAGG 5 N 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 Ft Bragg 5 N

Computed from Ft Bragg 5 N'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 Jan 5 – Jan 19 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🫑 Peppers Dec 22 – Jan 5 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🥬 Lettuce Jan 19 – Feb 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16 Feb 2 – Mar 2
🫛 Peas Jan 19 – Feb 2
🥕 Carrots Feb 9 – Mar 2
🥦 Broccoli Jan 12 – Jan 26 Feb 9 – Feb 23
🥬 Kale Jan 19 – Feb 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16 Feb 2 – Feb 16
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 2 – Feb 9 Mar 9 – Mar 16 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🥒 Zucchini Feb 2 – Feb 9 Mar 9 – Mar 16 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 9 – Mar 16
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 9 – Mar 16
🌿 Basil Jan 19 – Feb 2 Mar 9 – Mar 16 Mar 16 – Mar 23
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 20 – Nov 17

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 Ft Bragg 5 N's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Ft Bragg 5 N

With roughly 274 frost-free days, Ft Bragg 5 N 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 Dec 1 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Ft Bragg 5 N, CA?

The average last spring frost in Ft Bragg 5 N is around Mar 2, 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 Ft Bragg 5 N, CA?

The average first fall frost in Ft Bragg 5 N arrives around Dec 1. 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 Ft Bragg 5 N?

About 274 frost-free days on average, from Mar 2 to Dec 1. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Ft Bragg 5 N 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.