Three Rivers, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 16median date
First fall frostNov 26median date
Growing season255 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Three Rivers compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Three Rivers falls between February 5 and April 14, a 68-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 12.
- The median last frost is 15 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 255-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 24 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 30 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Visalia, CA, 38 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 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 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 Three Rivers, CA
Three Rivers, CA frost dates — last frost Mar 16, first frost Nov 26, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Plant for fall: Nov 12 to Dec 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Three Rivers, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 16 – Mar 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Broccoli | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Okra | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Basil | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 23 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| 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 Three Rivers Edison Ph, CA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 1,142 ft (348 m)).
Frost dates near Three Rivers
- Kaweah Mar 16 · Nov 26
- Lemon Cove Mar 16 · Nov 26
- Woodlake Feb 5 · Dec 8
- Sequoia National Park Jun 8 · Sep 20
- Badger Jun 1 · Oct 7
- Exeter Feb 5 · Dec 8
- Ivanhoe Jan 23 · Dec 13
- Lindsay Feb 20 · Nov 30
- Miramonte Jun 1 · Oct 7
- Farmersville Jan 23 · Dec 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Three Rivers, CA?
The median last spring frost in Three Rivers, CA is March 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Three Rivers, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Three Rivers, CA?
About 255 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Three Rivers, CA?
Three Rivers, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.