Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 93268 (Taft, 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, Taft, CA (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJan 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)330 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
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 72°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Cochora Ranch, 11 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 70°, Fri 73°, Sat 78°.
4-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Cochora Ranch, 11 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 70°, Fri 72°, Sat 76°.
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 93268 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 77°F at 4 inches. 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 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 sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 8–Nov 5
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 22–Nov 12
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 12
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 19
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Radish: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Garlic: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Shallot: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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) | Dec 25 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 24 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 12 |
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) | Dec 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 17 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 15 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 26 | Dec 3 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 24 | Dec 17 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 3 | Dec 27 |
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 93268
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 24) and first fall frost (Dec 17). 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 | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 15–29 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 15–29 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 3–24 (transplant) Dec 27–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 12 (transplant) Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 13–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 27–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Dec 27–Jan 24 (transplant) Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 15–29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 15–29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 15–29 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 1–15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 27–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 27–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 27–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 13–27 | Jan 10–31 (transplant) Jan 10–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 20–Jan 31 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 27–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 29–Dec 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 1–15 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 13–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 1–15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 14–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 27–Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 27–Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 27–Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 27–Jan 3 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 27–Jan 3 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 13–27 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 1–15 | Jan 31–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 13–27 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 10–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 15–29 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (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: Taft, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00048752), elevation 773 ft, 1.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttonwillow, CA | 17 mi | Feb 9 | Nov 26 |
| New Cuyama Fire STN, CA | 22 mi | Apr 15 | Nov 4 |
| Shafter 6E, CA | 27 mi | Feb 20 | Nov 23 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 84 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 93268
When is the last frost in 93268?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 93268 is January 24. For a more cautious planting date, use March 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 93268?
The average first fall freeze is December 17. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 1.
What hardiness zone is 93268?
ZIP 93268 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 93268 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
93276 Tupman 93224 Derby Acres 93311 Bakersfield 93314 Rosedale 93206 Buttonwillow 93313 Bakersfield 93251 McKittrick 93222 Pine Mountain Club
Other ZIP codes in Kern County
93203 93205 93206 93215 93220 93222 93224 93226 93240 93241 93243 93249 93250 93251 93255 93263 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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- Weekly yard to-dos
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.