McKinleyville, CA planting zone & frost dates
McKinleyville is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 8 and the first fall frost around November 30, for a growing season of about 262 days.
Planting calendar for McKinleyville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 8) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 22 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 5 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 30).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Jan 13 | Mar 8 | Apr 15 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 4 | Nov 30 | Nov 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 15, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 20.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in McKinleyville
- 95519 zone 9b
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is McKinleyville, CA?
McKinleyville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in McKinleyville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in McKinleyville is March 8. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 15.
When can I plant tomatoes in McKinleyville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 15 – Mar 22. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Arcata Eureka Ap, CA (USW00024283), 3.6 km (2.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 61 m, based on 24 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.