Frost dates for 93515Bishop, CA
The average last spring frost in Bishop is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 166 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 166 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 29 · May 17 · Jun 6 | Sep 19 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 29 · May 27 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 166 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 15 · May 10 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 191 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bishop
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93515 is matched to the NOAA station Bishop Ap, CA, 3.4 km away, at 4,102 ft elevation (42 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Ap, CA (used) | 4,102 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 15 |
| Dyer 5S, NV | 4,900 ft | May 9 | Oct 4 |
| Mammoth Lakes Rs, CA | 7,805 ft | Jun 10 | Sep 17 |
| Independence, CA | 3,950 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Bishop
- Bishop, CA 93514 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Big Pine, CA 93513 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 · last Jun 10, first Sep 17
- Dyer, NV 89010 · last May 9, first Oct 4
- Mono Hot Springs, CA 93642 · last Jun 1, first Oct 6
- Independence, CA 93526 · last Mar 31, first Nov 9
- Benton, CA 93512 · last May 23, first Oct 9
- Silverpeak, NV 89047 · last Jun 10, first Sep 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bishop, CA?
- For ZIP code 93515, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bishop Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Bishop, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93515?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 166 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.