Truckee, CA planting zone & frost dates
Truckee is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around June 9 and the first fall frost around September 25, for a growing season of about 108 days.
Planting calendar for Truckee
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (June 9) 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: Apr 14 – Apr 28 Transplant outdoors: Jun 16 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 Transplant outdoors: Jun 23 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 Transplant outdoors: Jun 23 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 Transplant outdoors: May 12 – May 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 Transplant outdoors: May 12 – May 26 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: May 12 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: May 12 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: May 12 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: May 12 – May 26 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jun 16 – Jun 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jun 16 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jun 16 – Jun 23 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jun 16 – Jun 23 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 28 – May 12 Transplant outdoors: Jun 16 – Jun 23 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Jul 31 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Sep 25).
Useful for zone 6a 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
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | May 26 | Jun 9 | Jun 25 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 10 | Sep 25 | Sep 9 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after June 25, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 9. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 24.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Truckee
- 96160 zone 6a
- 96161 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- South Lake Tahoe zone 6b, last frost Jun 5
- Placerville zone 9b, last frost Mar 31
- Grass Valley zone 9a, last frost Apr 10
- Diamond Springs zone 9b, last frost Mar 31
- North Auburn zone 9b, last frost Feb 25
- Auburn zone 9b, last frost Feb 25
- Cameron Park zone 9b, last frost Mar 31
- El Dorado Hills zone 9b, last frost Feb 25
Questions
What growing zone is Truckee, CA?
Truckee is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 6b.
When is the last frost in Truckee?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Truckee is June 9. There is still a 10% chance of frost until June 25.
When can I plant tomatoes in Truckee?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jun 16 – Jun 23. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Tahoe City, CA (USC00048758), 18.1 km (11.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 1899 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.