Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Avenal, CA
Plan your garden around Avenal, CA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
February 19
Safe Mar 15
Typical Feb 19
Risky Jan 21
First Fall Frost
November 29
Safe Nov 14
Typical Nov 29
Risky Dec 17
Growing Season
281 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b
Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.
Data: NOAA station KETTLEMAN CITY, CA US, 15.2 km away.
—
days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | Oct 4 – Oct 18 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | Oct 4 – Oct 18 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 4 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | Oct 18 – Oct 25 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Sep 27 – Oct 4 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Sep 20 – Sep 27 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | Sep 6 – Sep 20 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 4 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | — | Oct 18 – Nov 1 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | Sep 20 – Oct 4 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Nov 15 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Jan 8 – Jan 15 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Oct 4 – Oct 18 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | — | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | — | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Avenal, CA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the KETTLEMAN CITY, CA US station, the last spring frost in Avenal typically falls around February 19. A cautious gardener might wait until March 15 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while January 21 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Avenal, CA in fall?
The first fall frost in Avenal typically arrives around November 29. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 14; in milder years it can hold off until December 17.
How long is the growing season in Avenal, CA?
Avenal's average frost-free growing season is about 281 days, running from the typical last spring frost (February 19) to the typical first fall frost (November 29).
What USDA hardiness zone is Avenal, CA in?
Avenal, CA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.