When is the last frost in Modesto, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Modesto is around January 31, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Modesto City Co Ap, CA station (4.5 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 Modesto?

The average first fall frost in Modesto, CA is around December 5, giving roughly a 312-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Modesto, CA?

Modesto 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 Modesto?

In Modesto, CA the warmest month is July (avg high 95°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 38.6°F). It averages about 12.3″ of precipitation a year.

Home › California › Modesto

Modesto, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9b · ZIP 95350 · elevation 22′ · NOAA & USDA data

Modesto is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (winters can dip to 25 to 30°F), with a growing season of about 312 days between the average last spring frost (January 31) and first fall frost (December 5). The warmest month is July (avg high 95°F); the coldest is December (avg low 38.6°F). It averages 12.3″ 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

January 31

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 5

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

312 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 95°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Modesto

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Modesto City Co Ap, CA (4.5 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	56.1	38.8	47.5	2.6	–
February	62.2	41.8	52	2.2	–
March	68.1	45.2	56.7	1.8	–
April	73.8	48.4	61.1	1	–
May	82	53.7	67.8	0.7	–
June	89.7	59.2	74.5	0.2	–
July	95	62.7	78.8	0	–
August	93.5	62	77.8	0	–
September	89.1	58.6	73.9	0.1	–
October	79	51.5	65.2	0.6	–
November	65.7	43.2	54.5	1.1	–
December	56.2	38.6	47.4	2.2	–

What to plant when in Modesto

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 20 · Transplant out: February 7
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 6 · Transplant out: February 14
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 7
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 7
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 7
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 7
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 7
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 27 · Sow (fall): October 10
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): December 20 · Sow (fall): October 10
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): January 3 · Sow (fall): October 10
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 10 · Sow (fall): September 26
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 17
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 10 · Sow (fall): September 26
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): January 3
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 17
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): January 3 · Sow (fall): October 24

Dates are computed from Modesto'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 — Modesto City Co Ap, CA, 4.5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Modesto City Co Ap, CA, 4.5 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.