Frost dates for 93204Avenal, CA
The average last spring frost in Avenal is February 14 and the average first fall frost is November 30, giving a typical growing season of about 292 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 30
- Growing season
- 292 days
Safer after Mar 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 11 · Apr 9 | Nov 4 · Nov 17 · Dec 1 | 249 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 10 · Feb 14 · Mar 8 | Nov 15 · Nov 30 · Dec 21 | 292 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 20 · Jan 16 · Feb 19 | Nov 29 · Dec 16 · Jan 18 | 336 days | 85% |
Planting calendar for Avenal
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Jan 14 – Mar 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 2 – Aug 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 14 – Feb 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Apr 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Aug 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 3 – Dec 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Apr 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 20 – Dec 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93204 is matched to the NOAA station Coalinga, CA, 27 km away, at 670 ft elevation (78 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coalinga, CA (used) | 670 ft | Feb 14 | Nov 30 |
| Kettleman City, CA | 240 ft | Feb 19 | Nov 29 |
| Lemoore Reeves Nas, CA | 232 ft | Feb 24 | Nov 22 |
| Five Points 5 Ssw, CA | 285 ft | Feb 27 | Nov 26 |
Frost dates near Avenal
- Kettleman City, CA 93239 · last Feb 19, first Nov 29
- Lemoore, CA 93246 · last Feb 19, first Nov 29
- Huron, CA 93234 · last Feb 27, first Nov 26
- Coalinga, CA 93210 · last Feb 14, first Nov 30
- Stratford, CA 93266 · last Feb 24, first Nov 22
- Five Points, CA 93624 · last Feb 27, first Nov 26
- San Miguel, CA 93451 · last May 8, first Oct 22
- Shandon, CA 93461 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Avenal, CA?
- For ZIP code 93204, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Coalinga, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 8.
- When is the first frost in Avenal, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93204?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 292 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.