Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 93266 (Stratford, 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, Lemoore Reeves NAS, CA (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)265 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°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
77°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 Monocline Ridge (47 mi), Vallecitos (51 mi).
4-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Monocline Ridge (47 mi), Vallecitos (51 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 93266 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 76°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 Apr 11 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 Sep 27–Oct 18
- Spinach: fall sowing Sep 27–Oct 18
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 27–Oct 25
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 8
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 11–Nov 8
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 22: 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 21 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 24 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 30 |
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 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 22 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 10 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 2 | Nov 8 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 24 | Nov 22 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 20 | Dec 4 |
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 93266
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 24) and first fall frost (Nov 22). 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 30–Jan 13 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 16–30 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 2–23 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 16–30 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 2–23 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Feb 3–24 (transplant) Jan 27–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 18 (transplant) Sep 13–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 13–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Jan 27–Feb 24 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 16–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 16–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 16–30 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 2–16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Aug 2–23 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 13–27 | Feb 10–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 20–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 30–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 2–16 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 13–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 2–16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 11–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 13–27 (transplant) | Oct 11–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Aug 2–16 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 13–27 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 2–16 | Mar 3–10 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 13–27 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 16–30 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (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: Lemoore Reeves NAS, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00023110), elevation 232 ft, 12.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettleman City, CA | 13 mi | Feb 19 | Nov 29 |
| Hanford 1 S, CA | 16 mi | Feb 7 | Dec 1 |
| Corcoran Irrig Dist, CA | 16 mi | Feb 15 | Nov 27 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 93266
When is the last frost in 93266?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 93266 is February 24. For a more cautious planting date, use March 30, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 93266?
The average first fall freeze is November 22. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 3.
What hardiness zone is 93266?
ZIP 93266 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 93266 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
93245 Lemoore 93246 Lemoore Station 93239 Kettleman City 93234 Huron 93202 Armona 93230 Hanford 93212 Corcoran 93656 Riverdale
Other ZIP codes in Kings County
93202 93204 93212 93230 93239 93245 93246 All Kings County frost dates · California frost dates
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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.