When to plant in Merced, CA
USDA Zone 9aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Merced, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~266-day season lets Merced gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 9a is warm enough that Merced can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
MERCED · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Merced’s own odds, recorded at MERCED.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 1 | Apr 7 | Mar 6 | Oct 21 | Nov 8 | Nov 24 |
| 32°F | Apr 10 | Mar 3 | Feb 2 | Nov 5 | Nov 24 | Dec 14 |
| 28°F | Mar 11 | Feb 2 | Dec 28 | Nov 22 | Dec 11 | Jan 14 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Merced, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 37 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Merced planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Merced, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Merced is around March 3 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Merced, CA?
In Merced, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 24 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Merced in?
Merced is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. In zone 9a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Merced?
There are roughly 266 frost-free days in Merced (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 3 to the first fall frost near November 24.
When should I plant tomatoes in Merced?
In Merced, start tomato seeds indoors around January 6–January 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 10 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Merced
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Merced’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Atwater · 12 km
- Winton · 15 km
- Livingston · 24 km
- Chowchilla · 30 km
- Delhi · 30 km
- Turlock · 41 km
- Los Banos · 43 km
- Newman · 49 km
Frost dates recorded at MERCED, 5 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Merced, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00045532. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/merced.