Paradise, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 7
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 18
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
314 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 27 Feb 7 Apr 1
First fall frost Jan 27 Dec 18 Nov 26
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 5 · first Dec 31

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the PARADISE 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 Paradise

Computed from Paradise'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 Dec 13 – Dec 27 Feb 14 – Feb 21
🫑 Peppers Nov 29 – Dec 13 Feb 21 – Feb 28
🥬 Lettuce Dec 27 – Jan 10 Jan 10 – Jan 24 Jan 10 – Feb 7
🫛 Peas Dec 27 – Jan 10
🥕 Carrots Jan 17 – Feb 7
🥦 Broccoli Dec 20 – Jan 3 Jan 17 – Jan 31
🥬 Kale Dec 27 – Jan 10 Jan 10 – Jan 24 Jan 10 – Jan 24
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 10 – Jan 17 Feb 14 – Feb 21 Feb 14 – Feb 21
🥒 Zucchini Jan 10 – Jan 17 Feb 14 – Feb 21 Feb 14 – Feb 21
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 14 – Feb 21
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 14 – Feb 21
🌿 Basil Dec 27 – Jan 10 Feb 14 – Feb 21 Feb 21 – Feb 28
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 6 – Dec 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 Paradise's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Paradise

With roughly 314 frost-free days, Paradise 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 18 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Paradise, CA?

The average last spring frost in Paradise is around Feb 7, 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 Paradise, CA?

The average first fall frost in Paradise arrives around Dec 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 Paradise?

About 314 frost-free days on average, from Feb 7 to Dec 18. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Paradise 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.