Frost dates for 93256Pixley, CA
The average last spring frost in Pixley is February 15 and the average first fall frost is November 27, giving a typical growing season of about 285 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 27
- Growing season
- 285 days
Safer after Mar 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 12 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 24 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 19 · Mar 20 · Apr 13 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Nov 27 | 237 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 17 · Feb 15 · Mar 10 | Nov 12 · Nov 27 · Dec 13 | 285 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 18 · Jan 16 · Feb 11 | Nov 24 · Dec 8 · Jan 5 | 330 days | 93% |
Planting calendar for Pixley
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 15 – Mar 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 3 – Aug 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Feb 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Apr 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Aug 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 – Apr 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 4 – Dec 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 18 – Jan 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Apr 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 17 – Dec 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93256 is matched to the NOAA station Corcoran Irrig Dist, CA, 33.3 km away, at 200 ft elevation (79 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corcoran Irrig Dist, CA (used) | 200 ft | Feb 15 | Nov 27 |
| Delano, CA | 302 ft | Jan 31 | Dec 8 |
| Porterville, CA | 393 ft | Jan 20 | Dec 13 |
| Lindsay, CA | 435 ft | Feb 20 | Nov 30 |
Frost dates near Pixley
- Earlimart, CA 93219 · last Jan 31, first Dec 8
- Tipton, CA 93272 · last Feb 15, first Nov 27
- Ducor, CA 93218 · last Feb 20, first Nov 30
- Richgrove, CA 93261 · last Jan 31, first Dec 8
- Terra Bella, CA 93270 · last Feb 20, first Nov 30
- Delano, CA 93215 · last Jan 31, first Dec 8
- Alpaugh, CA 93201 · last Feb 15, first Nov 27
- Porterville, CA 93257 · last Feb 20, first Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pixley, CA?
- For ZIP code 93256, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Corcoran Irrig Dist, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 10.
- When is the first frost in Pixley, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93256?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 285 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.