Frost dates for 93232Hanford, CA
The average last spring frost in Hanford is February 7 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 296 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 7
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 296 days
Safer after Mar 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 35 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 9 · Mar 3 · Apr 10 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 1 | 252 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 9 · Feb 7 · Mar 4 | Nov 16 · Dec 1 · Dec 22 | 296 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 16 · Jan 12 · Feb 9 | Nov 28 · Dec 14 · Jan 13 | 339 days | 84% |
Planting calendar for Hanford
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 7 – Mar 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Feb 23 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 7 – Feb 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 24 – Feb 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Feb 23 – Apr 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Feb 23 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Feb 23 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Mar 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Nov 26 – Dec 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 20 – Jan 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 10 – Jan 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Mar 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Feb 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93232 is matched to the NOAA station Hanford 1 S, CA, 1.5 km away, at 237 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanford 1 S, CA (used) | 237 ft | Feb 7 | Dec 1 |
| Hanford Muni Ap, CA | 249 ft | Feb 20 | Nov 23 |
| Corcoran Irrig Dist, CA | 200 ft | Feb 15 | Nov 27 |
| Lemoore Reeves Nas, CA | 232 ft | Feb 24 | Nov 22 |
Frost dates near Hanford
- Hanford, CA 93230 · last Feb 7, first Dec 1
- Armona, CA 93202 · last Feb 7, first Dec 1
- Laton, CA 93242 · last Feb 20, first Nov 23
- Lemoore, CA 93245 · last Feb 24, first Nov 22
- Goshen, CA 93227 · last Jan 23, first Dec 13
- Traver, CA 93673 · last Feb 20, first Nov 23
- Kingsburg, CA 93631 · last Feb 20, first Nov 23
- Stratford, CA 93266 · last Feb 24, first Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hanford, CA?
- For ZIP code 93232, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hanford 1 S, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 4.
- When is the first frost in Hanford, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93232?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 296 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.