Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 93251 (McKittrick, CA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Buttonwillow, CA (13 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)289 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cochora Ranch (18 mi), Stubblefield (30 mi).
4-inch depth
75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cochora Ranch (18 mi), Stubblefield (30 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 93251 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 75°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically September to October).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: California coastal and valleys. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Mar 27 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 1–22
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 1–22
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 1–29
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 12
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 12
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 26: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Jan 10 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 9 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 6 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 10 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 26 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 12 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 7 | Nov 13 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 9 | Nov 26 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 11 | Dec 8 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 93251
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 9) and first fall frost (Nov 26). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 15–29 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 1–15 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 1–15 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 15–29 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 15–29 | Jan 19–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 12–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–22 (transplant) Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 29–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 1–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 1–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 1–15 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 12–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Jan 26–Feb 16 (transplant) Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 5–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 12–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 15–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Oct 15–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 12–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 12–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 12–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 12–19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 12–19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Feb 16–23 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 1–15 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Buttonwillow, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00041244), elevation 225 ft, 13.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taft, CA | 21 mi | Jan 24 | Dec 17 |
| Wasco, CA | 25 mi | Jan 31 | Dec 5 |
| New Cuyama Fire STN, CA | 29 mi | Apr 15 | Nov 4 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 84 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 93251
When is the last frost in 93251?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 93251 is February 9. For a more cautious planting date, use March 6, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 93251?
The average first fall freeze is November 26. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 10.
What hardiness zone is 93251?
ZIP 93251 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 93251 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
93224 Derby Acres 93206 Buttonwillow 93276 Tupman 93249 Lost Hills 93268 Taft 93280 Wasco 93263 Shafter 93314 Rosedale
Other ZIP codes in Kern County
93203 93205 93206 93215 93220 93222 93224 93226 93240 93241 93243 93249 93250 93255 93263 93268 93276 93280 93283 93285 93287 93301 93304 93305 All Kern County frost dates · California frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.