North Fork, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season194 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How North Fork compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in North Fork falls between April 7 and May 14, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 20.
- The median last frost is 24 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 194-day growing season is longer than 30% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 52 days later 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 89 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Clovis, CA, 45 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) | April 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 20 |
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 North Fork, CA
North Fork, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Nov 4, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in North Fork, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 N Fk Rs, CA weather station, 2 km away (elevation 2,644 ft (806 m)).
Frost dates near North Fork
- Wishon Apr 24 · Nov 4
- Bass Lake Apr 24 · Nov 4
- O Neals Mar 25 · Dec 3
- Auberry Mar 25 · Dec 3
- Oakhurst Apr 24 · Nov 4
- Coarsegold Apr 24 · Nov 4
- Shaver Lake Jun 1 · Oct 6
- Big Creek Jun 1 · Oct 6
- Friant Mar 9 · Dec 1
- Prather Mar 25 · Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in North Fork, CA?
The median last spring frost in North Fork, CA is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in North Fork, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in North Fork, CA?
About 194 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is North Fork, CA?
North Fork, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.