Frost dates for 93426Bradley, CA
The average last spring frost in Bradley is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 213 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 213 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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) | Apr 10 · Apr 29 · May 17 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 7 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Apr 4 · Apr 27 | Oct 17 · Nov 5 · Nov 24 | 213 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 22 · Mar 31 | Nov 1 · Nov 21 · Dec 12 | 274 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Bradley
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 | Mar 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93426 is matched to the NOAA station Paso Robles Muni Ap, CA, 34.8 km away, at 810 ft elevation (168 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paso Robles Muni Ap, CA (used) | 810 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 5 |
| Hearst Castle, CA | 1,526 ft | Feb 13 | Feb 1 |
| Paso Robles, CA | 730 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 10 |
| King City, CA | 320 ft | Feb 23 | Nov 22 |
Frost dates near Bradley
- Lockwood, CA 93932 · last Feb 13, first Feb 1
- San Ardo, CA 93450 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- San Simeon, CA 93452 · last Feb 13, first Feb 1
- Jolon, CA 93928 · last Feb 23, first Nov 22
- Paso Robles, CA 93447 · last Mar 15, first Nov 10
- Cambria, CA 93428 · last Jan 19, first Jan 14
- Harmony, CA 93435 · last Jan 19, first Jan 14
- San Miguel, CA 93451 · last May 8, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bradley, CA?
- For ZIP code 93426, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Paso Robles Muni Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Bradley, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93426?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 213 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.