Buttonwillow, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 9median date
First fall frostNov 26median date
Growing season290 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Buttonwillow compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Buttonwillow falls between January 10 and March 6, a 55-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 10 and December 12.
- The median last frost is 50 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 290-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 22 days earlier than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 24 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Bakersfield, CA, 44 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 10 |
| 50% (median) | February 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 10 |
| 50% (median) | November 26 |
| 90% (late) | December 12 |
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 Buttonwillow, CA
Buttonwillow, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 9, first frost Nov 26, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 17 to Dec 1Transplant outside: Jan 12 to Jan 26
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Jan 19 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Jan 12 to Jan 26Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Jan 19 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 19Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 19Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 19Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 19Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 19Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 19Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 9
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 16
Plant for fall: Nov 12 to Dec 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Buttonwillow, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Jan 12 – Feb 16 | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Broccoli | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Okra | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — |
| Basil | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 29 – Jan 19 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 29 – Jan 19 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 5 – Feb 16 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 12 – Jan 19 | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 12 – Jan 19 | — | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 12 – Jan 19 | — | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 12 – Jan 19 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 19 – Feb 16 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 19 – Feb 16 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 19 – Feb 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 23 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 12 – Dec 17 |
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 Buttonwillow, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 226 ft (69 m)).
Frost dates near Buttonwillow
- Tupman Feb 9 · Nov 26
- Mc Kittrick Feb 9 · Nov 26
- Shafter Jan 31 · Dec 5
- Fellows Jan 24 · Dec 17
- Wasco Jan 31 · Dec 5
- Taft Jan 24 · Dec 17
- Lost Hills Jan 31 · Dec 5
- Mc Farland Jan 31 · Dec 8
- Maricopa Jan 24 · Dec 17
- Bakersfield Jan 31 · Dec 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Buttonwillow, CA?
The median last spring frost in Buttonwillow, CA is February 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Buttonwillow, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 10.
How long is the growing season in Buttonwillow, CA?
About 290 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Buttonwillow, CA?
Buttonwillow, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.