Kernville, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostNov 11median date
Growing season218 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Kernville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Kernville falls between March 16 and April 28, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 218-day growing season is longer than 43% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 22 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 68 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Porterville, CA, 64 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) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 11 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
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 Kernville, CA
Kernville, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 7, first frost Nov 11, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Dec 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Kernville, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 16 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 28 – Dec 2 |
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 Kern River Ph, CA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 2,703 ft (824 m)).
Frost dates near Kernville
- Wofford Heights Apr 7 · Nov 11
- Lake Isabella Apr 5 · Nov 3
- Weldon Apr 5 · Nov 3
- Bodfish Apr 5 · Nov 3
- Posey May 11 · Oct 17
- California Hot Springs May 11 · Oct 17
- Glennville May 11 · Oct 17
- Onyx Apr 5 · Nov 3
- Woody May 11 · Oct 17
- Caliente Apr 22 · Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kernville, CA?
The median last spring frost in Kernville, CA is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Kernville, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Kernville, CA?
About 218 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Kernville, CA?
Kernville, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.