Red Bluff, CA planting zone & frost dates

Red Bluff is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around February 22 and the first fall frost around November 29, for a growing season of about 281 days.

USDA hardiness zone9aavg. extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F

Average last spring frostFebruary 2290% chance of no frost after March 30

Average first fall frostNovember 2910% chance of frost by November 12

Growing season281 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Red Bluff

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 22) 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: Dec 28 – Jan 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 8
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Dec 14 – Dec 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 15
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Dec 14 – Dec 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 15
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Dec 14 – Dec 28 Transplant outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Dec 14 – Dec 28 Transplant outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8
Peas	Sow outdoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8
Beans	Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 8
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 8
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 8
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 8
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 8

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 4 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 29).

Useful for zone 9a 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

As an Amazon Associate, FrostZoneMap earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Jan 17	Feb 22	Mar 30
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Dec 18	Nov 29	Nov 12

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 30, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 13.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Red Bluff

96080 zone 9b

Nearby cities

Anderson zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
Redding zone 9b, last frost Mar 3
Shasta Lake zone 9b, last frost Feb 8
Chico zone 9a, last frost Mar 4
Paradise zone 9b, last frost Feb 7
Magalia zone 8b, last frost Apr 17
Oroville zone 9b, last frost Jan 30
Yuba City zone 9b, last frost Jan 15

All cities in California → · Other zone 9a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Red Bluff, CA?

Red Bluff is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 9b.

When is the last frost in Red Bluff?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Red Bluff is February 22. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 30.

When can I plant tomatoes in Red Bluff?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 1 – Mar 8. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Red Bluff Muni Ap, CA (USW00024216), 3.3 km (2.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 108 m, based on 28 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.