Frost dates for 93603Badger, CA
The average last spring frost in Badger is March 12 and the average first fall frost is December 9, giving a typical growing season of about 273 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 9
- Growing season
- 273 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 43 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) | Mar 11 · Apr 10 · Apr 28 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 9 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 20 · Mar 12 · Apr 16 | Nov 17 · Dec 9 · Jan 2 | 273 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 15 · Jan 15 · Mar 29 | Nov 29 · Dec 23 · Feb 8 | 343 days | 76% |
Planting calendar for Badger
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 | Feb 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Sep 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Sep 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 29 – Dec 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93603 is matched to the NOAA station Ash Mtn, CA, 22.9 km away, at 1,708 ft elevation (1,327 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Mtn, CA (used) | 1,708 ft | Mar 12 | Dec 9 |
| Grant Grove, CA | 6,580 ft | Jun 1 | Oct 7 |
| Three Rivers Edison Ph 1, CA | 1,140 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 26 |
| Lodgepole, CA | 6,735 ft | Jun 8 | Sep 20 |
Frost dates near Badger
- Miramonte, CA 93641 · last Feb 23, first Dec 12
- Kings Canyon National Pk, CA 93633 · last Jun 1, first Oct 7
- Hume, CA 93628 · last Jun 1, first Oct 7
- Dunlap, CA 93621 · last Feb 23, first Dec 12
- Lemon Cove, CA 93244 · last Mar 12, first Dec 9
- Yokuts, CA 93675 · last Feb 23, first Dec 12
- Kaweah, CA 93237 · last Mar 12, first Dec 9
- Woodlake, CA 93286 · last Feb 5, first Dec 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Badger, CA?
- For ZIP code 93603, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ash Mtn, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Badger, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93603?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 273 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.