Shasta Dam, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 8
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
323 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 26 Feb 8 Mar 28
First fall frost Feb 18 Dec 28 Dec 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 18 · first Jan 4

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SHASTA DAM 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 Shasta Dam

Computed from Shasta Dam'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 14 – Dec 28 Feb 15 – Feb 22
🫑 Peppers Nov 30 – Dec 14 Feb 22 – Mar 1
🥬 Lettuce Dec 28 – Jan 11 Jan 11 – Jan 25 Jan 11 – Feb 8
🫛 Peas Dec 28 – Jan 11
🥕 Carrots Jan 18 – Feb 8
🥦 Broccoli Dec 21 – Jan 4 Jan 18 – Feb 1
🥬 Kale Dec 28 – Jan 11 Jan 11 – Jan 25 Jan 11 – Jan 25
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 11 – Jan 18 Feb 15 – Feb 22 Feb 15 – Feb 22
🥒 Zucchini Jan 11 – Jan 18 Feb 15 – Feb 22 Feb 15 – Feb 22
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 15 – Feb 22
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 15 – Feb 22
🌿 Basil Dec 28 – Jan 11 Feb 15 – Feb 22 Feb 22 – Mar 1
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 16 – Dec 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 Shasta Dam's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Shasta Dam

With roughly 323 frost-free days, Shasta Dam 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 28 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Shasta Dam, CA?

The average last spring frost in Shasta Dam is around Feb 8, 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 Shasta Dam, CA?

The average first fall frost in Shasta Dam arrives around Dec 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 Shasta Dam?

About 323 frost-free days on average, from Feb 8 to Dec 28. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Shasta Dam 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.