Frost dates for 93206Buttonwillow, CA
The average last spring frost in Buttonwillow is February 9 and the average first fall frost is November 26, giving a typical growing season of about 289 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 26
- Growing season
- 289 days
Safer after Mar 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 30 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 10 · Mar 7 · Apr 6 | Oct 29 · Nov 13 · Nov 26 | 248 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 10 · Feb 9 · Mar 6 | Nov 10 · Nov 26 · Dec 12 | 289 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 16 · Jan 11 · Feb 8 | Nov 22 · Dec 8 · Jan 2 | 333 days | 92% |
Planting calendar for Buttonwillow
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 9 – Mar 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Feb 25 – Aug 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 9 – Feb 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 26 – Feb 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Aug 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Feb 25 – Apr 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Feb 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Feb 25 – Aug 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 4 – Mar 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Nov 28 – Dec 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 12 – Jan 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Mar 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Feb 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Mar 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 16 – Dec 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93206 is matched to the NOAA station Buttonwillow, CA, 0.4 km away, at 225 ft elevation (44 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttonwillow, CA (used) | 225 ft | Feb 9 | Nov 26 |
| Wasco, CA | 291 ft | Jan 31 | Dec 5 |
| Taft, CA | 773 ft | Jan 24 | Dec 17 |
| Shafter 6E, CA | 404 ft | Feb 20 | Nov 23 |
Frost dates near Buttonwillow
- Tupman, CA 93276 · last Feb 9, first Nov 26
- Mc Kittrick, CA 93251 · last Jan 24, first Dec 17
- Shafter, CA 93263 · last Jan 31, first Dec 5
- Fellows, CA 93224 · last Jan 24, first Dec 17
- Bakersfield, CA 93314 · last Jan 17, first Dec 15
- Wasco, CA 93280 · last Jan 31, first Dec 5
- Taft, CA 93268 · last Jan 24, first Dec 17
- Lost Hills, CA 93249 · last Jan 31, first Dec 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Buttonwillow, CA?
- For ZIP code 93206, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Buttonwillow, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 6.
- When is the first frost in Buttonwillow, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93206?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 289 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.