Prather, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 25median date
First fall frostDec 3median date
Growing season253 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Prather compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Prather falls between February 5 and April 22, a 76-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 14 and December 21.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 253-day growing season is longer than 56% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 22 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 23 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Clovis, CA, 23 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) | February 5 |
| 50% (median) | March 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 14 |
| 50% (median) | December 3 |
| 90% (late) | December 21 |
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 Prather, CA
Prather, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 25, first frost Dec 3, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 12
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Plant for fall: Nov 19 to Dec 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Prather, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Feb 25 – Apr 1 | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Kale | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Broccoli | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cabbage | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Okra | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Basil | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 18 – Apr 1 | Oct 22 – Nov 12 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 19 – Dec 24 |
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 Auberry 2 Nw, CA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 2,090 ft (637 m)).
Frost dates near Prather
- Auberry Mar 25 · Dec 3
- Tollhouse Mar 25 · Dec 3
- Friant Mar 9 · Dec 1
- O Neals Mar 25 · Dec 3
- Piedra Feb 23 · Dec 12
- Clovis Jan 14 · Dec 14
- North Fork Apr 24 · Nov 4
- Shaver Lake Jun 1 · Oct 6
- Sanger Jan 30 · Dec 11
- Fresno Jan 30 · Dec 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Prather, CA?
The median last spring frost in Prather, CA is March 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Prather, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 14.
How long is the growing season in Prather, CA?
About 253 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Prather, CA?
Prather, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.