Last frost date in Ceres, California
January 31
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by December 31; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after February 25.
December 5
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by November 20.
A 32°F night happens here about 10 years in 10; in those years these are the usual dates.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Modesto City Co AP (USW00023258), 2 miles from Ceres, elevation 73 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Dec 31 | Jan 31 | Feb 25 |
| First frost in fall | Nov 20 | Dec 5 | Jan 6 |
An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.
Frost-free days in an average year: 312
Planting calendar for Ceres
Fall planting
USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about November 30 (Ceres: December 5).
- OkraJune 1 – Sept 20 (past for this year)
- SoybeansJune 1 – July 30 (past for this year)
- Summer squashJune 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Sweet potatoesJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Nov 1Now
- Peppers plantsJune 15 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Black-eyed peasJuly 1 – Sept 10 (past for this year)
- Eggplant plantsJuly 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- CucumbersJuly 15 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Winter squashJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Broccoli plantsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Brussels sprouts plantsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Celery and celeriac plantsAug 1 – Dec 1Now
- Lima beansAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- PotatoesAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- TomatoesAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Cauliflower plantsAug 15 – Oct 10 (past for this year)
- SalsifyAug 15 – Sept 30 (past for this year)
- ShallotsAug 15 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- Snap beansAug 15 – Sept 20 (past for this year)
- Witloof chicoryAug 15 – Sept 30 (past for this year)
- BeetsSept 1 – Dec 15Now
- Cabbage plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Chinese cabbageSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- Collards plantsSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- EndiveSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- Florence fennelSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- GarlicSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- Head lettuce plantsSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- KaleSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- KohlrabiSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- Leaf lettuceSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- LeeksSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- Mustard greensSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- Onion seedSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- ParsleySept 1 – Dec 31Now
- ParsnipsSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- RadishesSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- RutabagaSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- SorrelSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- TurnipsSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- CarrotsSept 15 – Dec 1Now
- DandelionSept 15 – Dec 15Now
- Corn saladOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Garden peasOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Onion plants plantsOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- SpinachOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Upland cressOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Chervil and chivesNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
- Onion setsNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
USDA lists horseradish as generally spring-planted here.
Spring planting
USDA dates for places whose average last freeze is about January 30 (Ceres: January 31).
- BeetsJan 1 – Mar 15
- Broccoli plantsJan 1 – 30
- Brussels sprouts plantsJan 1 – 30
- Cabbage plantsJan 1 – 15
- CarrotsJan 1 – Mar 1
- Cauliflower plantsJan 1 – Feb 1
- Celery and celeriac plantsJan 1 – Feb 1
- Chervil and chivesJan 1 – Feb 1
- Collards plantsJan 1 – Feb 15
- Corn saladJan 1 – Feb 15
- DandelionJan 1 – Feb 1
- EndiveJan 1 – Mar 1
- Florence fennelJan 1 – Mar 1
- Garden peasJan 1 – Feb 15
- Head lettuce plantsJan 1 – Feb 1
- KaleJan 1 – Feb 1
- KohlrabiJan 1 – Feb 1
- Leaf lettuceJan 1 – Feb 1
- LeeksJan 1 – Feb 1
- Mustard greensJan 1 – Mar 1
- Onion plants plantsJan 1 – 15
- Onion seedJan 1 – 15
- Onion setsJan 1 – 15
- ParsleyJan 1 – 30
- PotatoesJan 1 – Feb 15
- RadishesJan 1 – Apr 1
- SalsifyJan 1 – Feb 1
- ShallotsJan 1 – Feb 1
- SorrelJan 1 – Mar 1
- SpinachJan 1 – Feb 15
- Swiss chardJan 1 – Apr 1
- TurnipsJan 1 – Mar 1
- Upland cressJan 1 – Feb 1
- Eggplant plantsFeb 1 – Mar 1
- Lima beansFeb 1 – Apr 15
- New Zealand spinachFeb 1 – Apr 15
- Peppers plantsFeb 1 – Apr 1
- Snap beansFeb 1 – Apr 1
- Summer squashFeb 1 – Apr 15
- Sweet cornFeb 1 – Mar 15
- TomatoesFeb 1 – Apr 1
- Black-eyed peasFeb 15 – May 1
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Feb 15 – Mar 15
- CucumbersFeb 15 – Mar 15
- OkraFeb 15 – Apr 1
- Sweet potatoesFeb 15 – May 15
- WatermelonFeb 15 – Mar 15
- SoybeansMar 1 – June 30
USDA lists chinese cabbage, garlic as generally fall-planted here.
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.