Frost dates for 93239Kettleman City, CA
The average last spring frost in Kettleman City is February 19 and the average first fall frost is November 29, giving a typical growing season of about 281 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 29
- Growing season
- 281 days
Safer after Mar 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 29 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 20 · Mar 17 · Apr 8 | Oct 31 · Nov 15 · Nov 30 | 242 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 21 · Feb 19 · Mar 15 | Nov 14 · Nov 29 · Dec 17 | 281 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 26 · Jan 24 · Feb 23 | Nov 25 · Dec 12 · Jan 15 | 324 days | 93% |
Planting calendar for Kettleman City
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 19 – Mar 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Apr 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 8 – Jan 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Feb 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Apr 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Feb 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 19 – Dec 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93239 is matched to the NOAA station Kettleman City, CA, 0.2 km away, at 240 ft elevation (9 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettleman City, CA (used) | 240 ft | Feb 19 | Nov 29 |
| Corcoran Irrig Dist, CA | 200 ft | Feb 15 | Nov 27 |
| Lemoore Reeves Nas, CA | 232 ft | Feb 24 | Nov 22 |
| Coalinga, CA | 670 ft | Feb 14 | Nov 30 |
Frost dates near Kettleman City
- Avenal, CA 93204 · last Feb 14, first Nov 30
- Lemoore, CA 93246 · last Feb 19, first Nov 29
- Stratford, CA 93266 · last Feb 24, first Nov 22
- Huron, CA 93234 · last Feb 27, first Nov 26
- Corcoran, CA 93212 · last Feb 15, first Nov 27
- Coalinga, CA 93210 · last Feb 14, first Nov 30
- Five Points, CA 93624 · last Feb 27, first Nov 26
- Armona, CA 93202 · last Feb 7, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kettleman City, CA?
- For ZIP code 93239, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kettleman City, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 15.
- When is the first frost in Kettleman City, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93239?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 281 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.