When to plant in Redding, CA
USDA Zone 9aRedding, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
With about 263 frost-free days, Redding supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 9a is warm enough that Redding can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
The average last spring frost in Redding is now 7 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
REDDING MUNI AP · 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 Redding’s own odds, recorded at REDDING MUNI AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 26 | Apr 7 | Mar 9 | Oct 28 | Nov 9 | Nov 22 |
| 32°F | Apr 9 | Mar 3 | Jan 31 | Nov 7 | Nov 21 | Dec 7 |
| 28°F | Mar 1 | Jan 27 | Dec 20 | Nov 20 | Dec 7 | Jan 5 |
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 Redding, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 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.
Redding planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Redding, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Redding 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 Redding, CA?
Expect Redding's first fall frost near November 21 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Redding in?
Redding is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. In zone 9a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Redding?
There are roughly 263 frost-free days in Redding (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 3 to the first fall frost near November 21.
When should I plant tomatoes in Redding?
In Redding, 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 Redding
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Redding’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Shasta Lake · 12 km
- Anderson · 15 km
- Red Bluff · 45 km
- Chico · 102 km
- Oroville · 138 km
- Arcata · 148 km
- Susanville · 148 km
- Fortuna · 150 km
Frost dates recorded at REDDING MUNI AP, 8 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 Redding, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00024257. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/redding.