Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 93603 (Hartland, 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, Lemon Cove, CA (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)307 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
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 56°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Alabama Hills (48 mi).
4-inch depth
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Alabama Hills (48 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 93603 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 64°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 23 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 29–Oct 27
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 3
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 3
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 10
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 8: 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 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 5 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 20 |
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 23 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 8 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 8 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 25 | Nov 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 5 | Dec 8 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 5 | Dec 22 |
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 93603
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 5) and first fall frost (Dec 8). 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 11–25 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 11–25 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 11–25 | Jan 15–Feb 5 (transplant) Jan 8–Feb 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 3 (transplant) Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 25–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 11–25 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) Jan 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (transplant) Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 11–25 | Jan 8–Feb 5 (transplant) Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (transplant) Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 22–Feb 5 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 13–27 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 11–25 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) Jan 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 25–Jan 8 | Jan 22–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 22–Feb 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 15–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 1–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 15–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 11–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 13–27 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 13–27 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 19–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 26–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 8–15 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 8–15 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 8–15 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 8–15 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) Feb 19–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 8–15 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) Feb 19–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 25–Jan 8 | Feb 19–Mar 5 (transplant) Feb 19–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 13–27 | Feb 12–19 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 25–Jan 8 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 22–Feb 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 22–Feb 5 (transplant) Jan 15–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (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: Lemon Cove, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00044890), elevation 513 ft, 7.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Rivers Edison Ph 1, CA | 8 mi | Mar 16 | Nov 26 |
| Ash Mtn, CA | 10 mi | Mar 12 | Dec 9 |
| Lodgepole, CA | 17 mi | Jun 8 | Sep 20 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 127 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 93603
When is the last frost in 93603?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 93603 is February 5. For a more cautious planting date, use March 20, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 93603?
The average first fall freeze is December 8. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 23.
What hardiness zone is 93603?
ZIP 93603 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 93603 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
93237 Three Rivers 93286 Woodlake 93244 Lemon Cove 93271 Three Rivers 93647 Orosi 93221 Exeter 93670 Yettem 93235 Ivanhoe
Other ZIP codes in Tulare County
93201 93207 93208 93218 93219 93221 93223 93227 93235 93237 93238 93244 93247 93256 93257 93258 93260 93261 93262 93265 93267 93270 93271 93272 All Tulare County frost dates · California frost dates
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- 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.