Jess Valley, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jun 14
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 18
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
96 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 26 Jun 14 Jul 3
First fall frost Oct 3 Sep 18 Aug 31
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 30 · first Oct 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the JESS VALLEY 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 Jess Valley

Computed from Jess Valley's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 19 – May 3 Jun 21 – Jun 28
🫑 Peppers Apr 5 – Apr 19 Jun 28 – Jul 5
🥬 Lettuce May 3 – May 17 May 17 – May 31 May 17 – Jun 14
🫛 Peas May 3 – May 17
🥕 Carrots May 24 – Jun 14
🥦 Broccoli Apr 26 – May 10 May 24 – Jun 7
🥬 Kale May 3 – May 17 May 17 – May 31 May 17 – May 31
🥒 Cucumbers May 17 – May 24 Jun 21 – Jun 28 Jun 21 – Jun 28
🥒 Zucchini May 17 – May 24 Jun 21 – Jun 28 Jun 21 – Jun 28
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 21 – Jun 28
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 21 – Jun 28
🌿 Basil May 3 – May 17 Jun 21 – Jun 28 Jun 28 – Jul 5
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 7 – Sep 4

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 Jess Valley's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Jess Valley

At about 96 frost-free days, Jess Valley rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Jess Valley, CA?

The average last spring frost in Jess Valley is around Jun 14, 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 Jess Valley, CA?

The average first fall frost in Jess Valley arrives around Sep 18. 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 Jess Valley?

About 96 frost-free days on average, from Jun 14 to Sep 18. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Jess Valley in?

USDA zone 7a 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.