Frost dates for 93512Benton, CA
The average last spring frost in Benton is May 23 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after Jun 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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) | May 20 · Jun 5 · Jun 19 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 12 | 114 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 23 · Jun 9 | Sep 27 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 26 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 6 | 168 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Benton
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 | Apr 22 – Jun 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93512 is matched to the NOAA station Lee Vining, CA, 49.2 km away, at 6,797 ft elevation (301 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Vining, CA (used) | 6,797 ft | May 23 | Oct 9 |
| Mammoth Lakes Rs, CA | 7,805 ft | Jun 10 | Sep 17 |
| Bodie California St Historic P, CA | 8,370 ft | — | — |
| Dyer 5S, NV | 4,900 ft | May 9 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Benton
- Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 · last Jun 10, first Sep 17
- Dyer, NV 89010 · last May 9, first Oct 4
- Bishop, CA 93514 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- June Lake, CA 93529 · last Jun 10, first Sep 17
- Lee Vining, CA 93541 · last May 23, first Oct 9
- Mina, NV 89422 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Bridgeport, CA 93517 · last —, first —
- Silverpeak, NV 89047 · last Jun 10, first Sep 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Benton, CA?
- For ZIP code 93512, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lee Vining, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 9.
- When is the first frost in Benton, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93512?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 139 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.