When is the last frost in Elk Grove, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Elk Grove is around February 2, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Sacramento Executive Ap, CA station (12.5 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 Elk Grove?

The average first fall frost in Elk Grove, CA is around December 2, giving roughly a 301-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Elk Grove, CA?

Elk Grove 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 Elk Grove?

In Elk Grove, CA the warmest month is July (avg high 94.4°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 40.7°F). It averages about 19.2″ of precipitation a year.

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Elk Grove, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9b · ZIP 95757 · elevation 12′ · NOAA & USDA data

Elk Grove is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (winters can dip to 25 to 30°F), with a growing season of about 301 days between the average last spring frost (February 2) and first fall frost (December 2). The warmest month is July (avg high 94.4°F); the coldest is December (avg low 40.7°F). It averages 19.2″ 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

February 2

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 2

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

301 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 94.4°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Elk Grove

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Sacramento 5 Ese, CA (15.5 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	56.5	41.1	48.8	3.9
February	62.2	43.7	52.9	3.6
March	67.8	46.7	57.2	2.8
April	73.5	49.3	61.4	1.4
May	81.3	54	67.7	0.9
June	89	58.7	73.9	0.2
July	94.4	61.4	77.9	0
August	93.5	61	77.3	0
September	89.3	58.8	74	0.2
October	78.9	52.9	65.9	0.9
November	65.3	45.3	55.3	1.8
December	56.4	40.7	48.5	3.5

What to plant when in Elk Grove

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 22 · Transplant out: February 9
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 8 · Transplant out: February 16
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 9
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 9
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 9
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 9
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 9
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 29 · Sow (fall): October 7
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): December 22 · Sow (fall): October 7
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): January 5 · Sow (fall): October 7
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 12 · Sow (fall): September 23
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 19
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 12 · Sow (fall): September 23
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): January 5
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 19
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): January 5 · Sow (fall): October 21

Dates are computed from Elk Grove'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.

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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 — Sacramento Executive Ap, CA, 12.5 mi (confidence: medium). Monthly weather normals: Sacramento 5 Ese, CA, 15.5 mi (confidence: medium). 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.