Frost dates for 93314 — Bakersfield, CA
Last spring frostFeb 20median date
First fall frostNov 23median date
Growing season276 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Bakersfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bakersfield falls between January 17 and March 9, a 51-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 9.
- The median last frost is 39 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 276-day growing season is longer than 76% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9b, where the median is Feb 20.
- The weather station records an average of 35 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 17 |
| 50% (median) | February 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 23 |
| 90% (late) | December 9 |
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 Bakersfield, CA
Frost dates for 93314 — Bakersfield, CA — last frost Feb 20, first frost Nov 23, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 28 to Dec 12Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 2
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Plant for fall: Nov 9 to Dec 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bakersfield, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Jan 23 – Feb 27 | Sep 28 – Oct 26 |
| Kale | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Okra | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — |
| Basil | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 16 – Feb 27 | Oct 12 – Nov 2 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 6 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 9 – Dec 14 |
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 Shafter 6e, CA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 404 ft (123 m)).
ZIP codes in Bakersfield: 93301 93302 93303 93304 93305 93306 93307 93308 93309 93311 93312 93313 93314 93380 93383 93384 93385 93386 93387 93388 93389 93390
Frost dates near Bakersfield
- Shafter Jan 31 · Dec 5
- Tupman Feb 9 · Nov 26
- Buttonwillow Feb 9 · Nov 26
- Edison Jan 31 · Dec 8
- Lamont Jan 31 · Dec 8
- Mc Farland Jan 31 · Dec 8
- Arvin Jan 31 · Dec 8
- Taft Jan 24 · Dec 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bakersfield, CA?
The median last spring frost in Bakersfield, CA is February 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bakersfield, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Bakersfield, CA?
About 276 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bakersfield, CA?
Bakersfield, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.