Frost dates for 93656Riverdale, CA
The average last spring frost in Riverdale is February 24 and the average first fall frost is November 22, giving a typical growing season of about 265 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 22
- Growing season
- 265 days
Safer after Mar 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 26 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 28 · Apr 2 · Apr 23 | Oct 24 · Nov 8 · Nov 25 | 219 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 21 · Feb 24 · Mar 30 | Nov 3 · Nov 22 · Dec 10 | 265 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 19 · Jan 20 · Feb 25 | Nov 19 · Dec 4 · Jan 8 | 321 days | 93% |
Planting calendar for Riverdale
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 24 – Apr 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Aug 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 24 – Feb 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Apr 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Aug 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 13 – Jan 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Apr 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Mar 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 12 – Dec 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93656 is matched to the NOAA station Lemoore Reeves Nas, CA, 12.8 km away, at 232 ft elevation (22 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemoore Reeves Nas, CA (used) | 232 ft | Feb 24 | Nov 22 |
| Hanford 1 S, CA | 237 ft | Feb 7 | Dec 1 |
| Hanford Muni Ap, CA | 249 ft | Feb 20 | Nov 23 |
| Five Points 5 Ssw, CA | 285 ft | Feb 27 | Nov 26 |
Frost dates near Riverdale
- Caruthers, CA 93609 · last Feb 24, first Nov 22
- Laton, CA 93242 · last Feb 20, first Nov 23
- Burrel, CA 93607 · last Feb 24, first Nov 22
- Lemoore, CA 93245 · last Feb 24, first Nov 22
- Raisin City, CA 93652 · last Jan 30, first Dec 11
- Armona, CA 93202 · last Feb 7, first Dec 1
- Hanford, CA 93230 · last Feb 7, first Dec 1
- Helm, CA 93627 · last Feb 27, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Riverdale, CA?
- For ZIP code 93656, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lemoore Reeves Nas, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 30.
- When is the first frost in Riverdale, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93656?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 265 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.