Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Fortuna, CA

The average first fall frost in Fortuna, CA is December 19, and the average last spring frost is February 1, giving a growing season of about 328 days.

Plan your garden around Fortuna, CA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.

Last Spring Frost

February 1

Safe Mar 8 Typical Feb 1 Risky Dec 17

First Fall Frost

December 19

Safe Nov 19 Typical Dec 19 Risky Feb 10

Growing Season

328 days

Typical last frost to typical first frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 9b

Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.

Data: NOAA station SCOTIA, CA US, 13.5 km away.

— days until the typical last spring frost

How Fortuna Compares

Fortuna's typical last spring frost (Feb 1) comes later than in 64% of the 427 California cities we track.
Its 328-day growing season is 9 days shorter than the California median of 337 days.
Compared with Eureka (23 km away), Fortuna's last spring frost comes 21 days earlier than Eureka's, and its first fall frost arrives 12 days later.
September is the warmest month (average high 73°F) and December the coldest (average low 42°F).

Monthly Temperatures

Avg. high Avg. temp Avg. low

Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Dec 7 – Dec 21	—	Feb 8 – Feb 15	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Nov 23 – Dec 7	—	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Nov 23 – Dec 7	—	Feb 15 – Feb 22	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Jan 4 – Jan 11	Feb 8 – Feb 15	Feb 8 – Feb 15	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Jan 11 – Jan 18	Feb 8 – Feb 22	Feb 8 – Feb 15	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Jan 4 – Jan 11	Feb 8 – Feb 22	Feb 8 – Feb 15	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Jan 4 – Jan 11	—	Feb 15 – Feb 22	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Jan 4 – Jan 11	—	Feb 15 – Feb 22	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Dec 21 – Jan 4	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Oct 24 – Nov 7	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Dec 21 – Jan 4	—	Oct 24 – Nov 7	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Oct 10 – Oct 24	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Nov 7 – Nov 14	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Jan 11 – Jan 25	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Dec 14 – Dec 28	—	Jan 11 – Jan 18	Oct 17 – Oct 24	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Dec 14 – Dec 28	—	Jan 18 – Jan 25	Oct 10 – Oct 17	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Dec 14 – Dec 28	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	Oct 10 – Oct 24	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Dec 14 – Dec 28	—	Jan 11 – Jan 25	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Sep 26 – Oct 10	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Oct 10 – Oct 24	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Dec 28 – Jan 11	—	Nov 7 – Nov 21	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	Oct 10 – Oct 24	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Nov 23 – Dec 7	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Nov 21 – Dec 5	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	Feb 15 – Mar 1	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Jan 4 – Jan 18	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Dec 21 – Dec 28	—	Feb 8 – Feb 15	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Jan 11 – Jan 25	—	Oct 24 – Nov 7	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Dec 7 – Dec 21	—	Jan 18 – Jan 25	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Jan 11 – Jan 25	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Dec 7 – Dec 21	—	Feb 1 – Feb 8	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Dec 7 – Dec 21	—	Feb 1 – Feb 8	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Jan 4 – Jan 11	Feb 8 – Feb 22	Feb 8 – Feb 15	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Dec 21 – Jan 4	—	Feb 8 – Feb 15	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Jan 4 – Jan 11	Feb 8 – Feb 22	Feb 8 – Feb 15	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last frost in Fortuna, CA?

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the SCOTIA, CA US station, the last spring frost in Fortuna typically falls around February 1. A cautious gardener might wait until March 8 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 17 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.

When is the first frost in Fortuna, CA in fall?

The first fall frost in Fortuna typically arrives around December 19. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 19; in milder years it can hold off until February 10.

How long is the growing season in Fortuna, CA?

Fortuna's average frost-free growing season is about 328 days, running from the typical last spring frost (February 1) to the typical first fall frost (December 19).

What USDA hardiness zone is Fortuna, CA in?

Fortuna, CA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.