When to plant in Shasta Lake, CA
USDA Zone 9bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Shasta Lake, California — all computed from Shasta Lake's nearest NOAA weather station.
With about 323 frost-free days, Shasta Lake supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 9b is warm enough that Shasta Lake can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
The average first fall frost in Shasta Lake is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
SHASTA DAM · 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 Shasta Lake’s own odds, recorded at SHASTA DAM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 16 | Mar 19 | Feb 6 | Nov 16 | Dec 6 | Dec 30 |
| 32°F | Mar 28 | Feb 8 | Dec 26 | Dec 1 | Dec 28 | Feb 18 |
| 28°F | Mar 14 | Jan 18 | Dec 14 | Dec 10 | Jan 4 | Mar 10 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Shasta Lake, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 19 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.
Shasta Lake planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Shasta Lake, CA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Shasta Lake around February 8 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Shasta Lake, CA?
In Shasta Lake, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 28 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Shasta Lake in?
Shasta Lake is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Shasta Lake?
There are roughly 323 frost-free days in Shasta Lake (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around February 8 to the first fall frost near December 28.
When should I plant tomatoes in Shasta Lake?
In Shasta Lake, start tomato seeds indoors around December 14–December 28, then transplant seedlings outdoors around February 15 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Shasta Lake
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Shasta Lake’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at SHASTA DAM, 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 Shasta Lake, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00048135. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/shasta-lake.