Helm, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 27median date
First fall frostNov 26median date
Growing season272 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Helm compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Helm falls between January 21 and April 13, a 82-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 8 and December 16.
- The median last frost is 32 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 272-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 23 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Fresno, 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 21 |
| 50% (median) | February 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 8 |
| 50% (median) | November 26 |
| 90% (late) | December 16 |
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 Helm, CA
Helm, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 27, first frost Nov 26, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 5 to Dec 19Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Apr 3
Plant for fall: Nov 12 to Dec 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Helm, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Jan 30 – Mar 6 | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Broccoli | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Okra | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Basil | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 16 – Feb 6 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 16 – Feb 6 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 23 – Mar 6 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 30 – Feb 6 | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 30 – Feb 6 | — | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 30 – Feb 6 | — | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 30 – Feb 6 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 6 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 6 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 13 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| 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 Five Points 5 Ssw, CA weather station, 19 km away (elevation 285 ft (87 m)).
Frost dates near Helm
- San Joaquin Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Burrel Jan 30 · Dec 11
- Raisin City Jan 30 · Dec 11
- Tranquillity Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Five Points Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Cantua Creek Feb 27 · Nov 26
- Kerman Feb 18 · Nov 27
- Caruthers Feb 24 · Nov 22
- Riverdale Feb 24 · Nov 22
- Biola Feb 18 · Nov 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Helm, CA?
The median last spring frost in Helm, CA is February 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Helm, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 8.
How long is the growing season in Helm, CA?
About 272 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Helm, CA?
Helm, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.