Lava Beds Nat Mon, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Lava Beds Nat Mon garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jun 6
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
114 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 16 Jun 6 Jun 22
First fall frost Oct 17 Sep 28 Sep 8
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 16 · first Oct 15

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the LAVA BEDS NAT MON 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 Lava Beds Nat Mon

Computed from Lava Beds Nat Mon's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 11 – Apr 25 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🫑 Peppers Mar 28 – Apr 11 Jun 20 – Jun 27
🥬 Lettuce Apr 25 – May 9 May 9 – May 23 May 9 – Jun 6
🫛 Peas Apr 25 – May 9
🥕 Carrots May 16 – Jun 6
🥦 Broccoli Apr 18 – May 2 May 16 – May 30
🥬 Kale Apr 25 – May 9 May 9 – May 23 May 9 – May 23
🥒 Cucumbers May 9 – May 16 Jun 13 – Jun 20 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🥒 Zucchini May 9 – May 16 Jun 13 – Jun 20 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 13 – Jun 20
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 13 – Jun 20
🌿 Basil Apr 25 – May 9 Jun 13 – Jun 20 Jun 20 – Jun 27
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 17 – Sep 14

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 Lava Beds Nat Mon's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Lava Beds Nat Mon

At about 114 frost-free days, Lava Beds Nat Mon 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 Lava Beds Nat Mon, CA?

The average last spring frost in Lava Beds Nat Mon is around Jun 6, 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 Lava Beds Nat Mon, CA?

The average first fall frost in Lava Beds Nat Mon arrives around Sep 28. 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 Lava Beds Nat Mon?

About 114 frost-free days on average, from Jun 6 to Sep 28. 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 Lava Beds Nat Mon in?

USDA zone 6b 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.