Frost dates for 93651Prather, CA
The average last spring frost in Prather is March 9 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 262 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 9
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 262 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 12 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 35 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 21 · Apr 15 · May 4 | Oct 29 · Nov 15 · Dec 3 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 22 · Mar 9 · Apr 16 | Nov 12 · Dec 1 · Dec 22 | 262 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 19 · Jan 19 · Feb 28 | Nov 24 · Dec 13 · Jan 18 | 334 days | 85% |
Planting calendar for Prather
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 6 – Apr 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – May 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93651 is matched to the NOAA station Friant Government Camp, CA, 16 km away, at 410 ft elevation (430 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friant Government Camp, CA (used) | 410 ft | Mar 9 | Dec 1 |
| Auberry 2 Nw, CA | 2,090 ft | Mar 25 | Dec 3 |
| N Fk Rs, CA | 2,645 ft | Apr 24 | Nov 4 |
| Fresno Yosemite Intl Ap, CA | 333 ft | Jan 14 | Dec 14 |
Frost dates near Prather
- Auberry, CA 93602 · last Mar 25, first Dec 3
- Tollhouse, CA 93667 · last Mar 25, first Dec 3
- Friant, CA 93626 · last Mar 9, first Dec 1
- Clovis, CA 93619 · last Jan 14, first Dec 14
- O Neals, CA 93645 · last Mar 25, first Dec 3
- Piedra, CA 93649 · last Feb 23, first Dec 12
- Fresno, CA 93730 · last Jan 14, first Dec 14
- North Fork, CA 93643 · last Apr 24, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Prather, CA?
- For ZIP code 93651, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Friant Government Camp, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Prather, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93651?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 262 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.