Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 93280 (Wasco, 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, Wasco, CA (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJan 3150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)315 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 93280 (Wasco)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 93280, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- 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.
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
75°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 (38 mi), Stubblefield (47 mi).
4-inch depth
74°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 (38 mi), Stubblefield (47 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 93280 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 74°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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 18 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 Sep 26–Oct 24
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 10–31
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 10–31
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 10–Nov 7
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 26–Oct 24
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 24–Nov 7
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 24–Nov 21
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 24–Nov 21
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 5: 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 2 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 31 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 27 |
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 21 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 2 (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 | Nov 24 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 31 | Dec 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 4 | Dec 16 |
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 93280
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 5). 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 6–20 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 6–20 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 6–20 | Jan 10–31 (transplant) Jan 3–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–31 (transplant) Sep 26–Oct 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 20–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–31 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (transplant) Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–31 (transplant) Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (transplant) Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 8–22 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 6–20 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 17–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 10–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 27–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 24–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 8–22 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 8–22 | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 24–Nov 21 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Oct 24–Nov 21 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 15–29 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 21–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 3–10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 3–10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 3–10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 3–10 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 3–10 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 8–22 | Feb 7–14 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 26–Oct 24 (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: Wasco, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00049452), elevation 291 ft, 6.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delano, CA | 13 mi | Jan 31 | Dec 8 |
| Buttonwillow, CA | 17 mi | Feb 9 | Nov 26 |
| Shafter 6E, CA | 20 mi | Feb 20 | Nov 23 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 20 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 93280
When is the last frost in 93280?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 93280 is January 31. For a more cautious planting date, use February 27, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 93280?
The average first fall freeze is December 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 21.
What hardiness zone is 93280?
ZIP 93280 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 93280 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
93250 McFarland 93206 Buttonwillow 93201 Alpaugh 93263 Shafter 93215 Delano 93219 Allensworth 93314 Rosedale 93261 Richgrove
Other ZIP codes in Kern County
93203 93205 93206 93215 93220 93222 93224 93226 93240 93241 93243 93249 93250 93251 93255 93263 93268 93276 93283 93285 93287 93301 93304 93305 All Kern County frost dates · California frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- 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.