Avenal, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 19median date
First fall frostNov 29median date
Growing season283 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Avenal compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Avenal falls between January 21 and March 15, a 53-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 14 and December 17.
- The median last frost is 40 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 283-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9b, where the median is Feb 20.
- The weather station records an average of 29 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Hanford, CA, 57 km away, the last frost here is 12 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 21 |
| 50% (median) | February 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 14 |
| 50% (median) | November 29 |
| 90% (late) | December 17 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Avenal, CA
Avenal, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 19, first frost Nov 29, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Nov 27 to Dec 11Transplant outside: Jan 22 to Feb 5
Start indoors: Dec 11 to Dec 25Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Dec 11 to Dec 25Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Jan 22 to Feb 5Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Jan 8 to Jan 29Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 8 to Jan 29Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 8
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Jan 29Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Jan 29Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 26
Plant for fall: Nov 15 to Dec 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Avenal, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 27 – Dec 11 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Jan 22 – Feb 26 | Oct 4 – Nov 1 |
| Kale | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Broccoli | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Okra | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — |
| Basil | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 15 – Feb 26 | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 26 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 26 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 15 – Dec 20 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Kettleman City, CA weather station, 15 km away (elevation 240 ft (73 m)).
Frost dates near Avenal
- Kettleman City Feb 19 · Nov 29
- Huron Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Coalinga Feb 14 · Nov 30
- Lemoore Feb 24 · Nov 22
- Stratford Feb 24 · Nov 22
- Five Points Feb 27 · Nov 26
- San Miguel Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Shandon Apr 4 · Nov 5
- Corcoran Feb 15 · Nov 27
- Armona Feb 7 · Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Avenal, CA?
The median last spring frost in Avenal, CA is February 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Avenal, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 14.
How long is the growing season in Avenal, CA?
About 283 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Avenal, CA?
Avenal, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.