Stockton Metro Airport, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 6
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 1
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
298 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 31 Feb 6 Feb 28
First fall frost Dec 26 Dec 1 Nov 15
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 10 · first Dec 16

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the STOCKTON METRO AP 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 Stockton Metro Airport

Computed from Stockton Metro Airport'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 12 – Dec 26 Feb 13 – Feb 20
🫑 Peppers Nov 28 – Dec 12 Feb 20 – Feb 27
🥬 Lettuce Dec 26 – Jan 9 Jan 9 – Jan 23 Jan 9 – Feb 6
🫛 Peas Dec 26 – Jan 9
🥕 Carrots Jan 16 – Feb 6
🥦 Broccoli Dec 19 – Jan 2 Jan 16 – Jan 30
🥬 Kale Dec 26 – Jan 9 Jan 9 – Jan 23 Jan 9 – Jan 23
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 9 – Jan 16 Feb 13 – Feb 20 Feb 13 – Feb 20
🥒 Zucchini Jan 9 – Jan 16 Feb 13 – Feb 20 Feb 13 – Feb 20
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 13 – Feb 20
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 13 – Feb 20
🌿 Basil Dec 26 – Jan 9 Feb 13 – Feb 20 Feb 20 – Feb 27
🧄 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 Stockton Metro Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Stockton Metro Airport

With roughly 298 frost-free days, Stockton Metro Airport 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 Stockton Metro Airport, CA?

The average last spring frost in Stockton Metro Airport is around Feb 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 Stockton Metro Airport, CA?

The average first fall frost in Stockton Metro Airport 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 Stockton Metro Airport?

About 298 frost-free days on average, from Feb 6 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 Stockton Metro Airport 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.