Frost dates for 93636Madera, CA
The average last spring frost in Madera is February 18 and the average first fall frost is November 27, giving a typical growing season of about 281 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 27
- Growing season
- 281 days
Safer after Mar 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 25 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 24 · Mar 25 · Apr 18 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Nov 27 | 233 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 16 · Feb 18 · Mar 18 | Nov 10 · Nov 27 · Dec 18 | 281 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 20 · Jan 21 · Feb 19 | Nov 24 · Dec 10 · Jan 18 | 331 days | 89% |
Planting calendar for Madera
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 18 – Mar 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Aug 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Apr 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Aug 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 7 – Jan 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Feb 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 21 – Jan 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Apr 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Feb 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 17 – Dec 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93636 is matched to the NOAA station Madera, CA, 14 km away, at 270 ft elevation (81 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madera, CA (used) | 270 ft | Feb 18 | Nov 27 |
| Friant Government Camp, CA | 410 ft | Mar 9 | Dec 1 |
| Madera Muni Ap, CA | 253 ft | Feb 12 | Nov 30 |
| Fresno Yosemite Intl Ap, CA | 333 ft | Jan 14 | Dec 14 |
Frost dates near Madera
- Fresno, CA 93730 · last Jan 14, first Dec 14
- Madera, CA 93639 · last Feb 18, first Nov 27
- Friant, CA 93626 · last Mar 9, first Dec 1
- Biola, CA 93606 · last Feb 18, first Nov 27
- Clovis, CA 93613 · last Jan 14, first Dec 14
- Kerman, CA 93630 · last Feb 18, first Nov 27
- O Neals, CA 93645 · last Mar 25, first Dec 3
- Prather, CA 93651 · last Mar 9, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Madera, CA?
- For ZIP code 93636, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Madera, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 18.
- When is the first frost in Madera, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93636?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 281 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.