When is the last frost in Chico, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Chico is around March 4, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Chico Univ Farm, CA station (4 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Chico?

The average first fall frost in Chico, CA is around November 17, giving roughly a 257-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Chico, CA?

Chico is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 25 to 30°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Chico?

In Chico, CA the warmest month is July (avg high 95.2°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 36.2°F). It averages about 27.4″ of precipitation a year.

Home › California › Chico

Chico, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9b · ZIP 95926 · elevation 56′ · NOAA & USDA data

Chico is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (winters can dip to 25 to 30°F), with a growing season of about 257 days between the average last spring frost (March 4) and first fall frost (November 17). The warmest month is July (avg high 95.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 36.2°F). It averages 27.4″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 25 to 30°F

Last spring frost

March 4

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 17

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

257 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 95.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Chico

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Chico Univ Farm, CA (4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	56.1	36.2	46.1	5.1	–
February	62.2	38.3	50.3	5.1	–
March	66.7	41.6	54.2	3.6	–
April	72.8	45.3	59	2	–
May	81.3	52.2	66.8	1.4	–
June	89.3	57.4	73.4	0.6	–
July	95.2	61	78.1	0	–
August	94.3	59	76.7	0.1	–
September	90.9	54.9	72.9	0.3	–
October	79.7	47.4	63.5	1.7	–
November	65	39.8	52.4	2.4	–
December	56.6	36.3	46.4	5	–

What to plant when in Chico

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 21 · Transplant out: March 11
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 7 · Transplant out: March 18
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 11
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 11
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 11
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 11
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 11
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): January 28 · Sow (fall): September 22
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): January 21 · Sow (fall): September 22
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 4 · Sow (fall): September 22
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): February 11 · Sow (fall): September 8
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): February 18
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): February 11 · Sow (fall): September 8
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 4
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: February 18
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 4 · Sow (fall): October 6

Dates are computed from Chico's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in California

Yuba City, CA Redding, CA Lincoln, CA Woodland, CA Rocklin, CA Roseville, CA West Sacramento, CA Citrus Heights, CA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Chico Univ Farm, CA, 4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Chico Univ Farm, CA, 4 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.