Frost Dates for Bakersfield, CA 93301
Bakersfield has 11 ZIP codes. The Bakersfield, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 17 · First fall frost November 22 · 278 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 93301 has about 13,600 people, one of 11 ZIP codes in Bakersfield.
Very long season: 278 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 18–March 21 (62 days). Fall frost risk spans November 7–December 7 (30 days).
Frost probability for 93301
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 21 | February 17 | January 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 7 | November 22 | December 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BUTTONWILLOW (40.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 278-day season in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield (278 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 13 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 3. | Jul 23 |
| Pepper | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 236 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 3. | Jul 28 |
| Lettuce | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Jan 27 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 320 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 320 available after Jan 27. | Sep 20 |
| Cucumber | Jan 27 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Beans | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Peas | — | Dec 23–Mar 3 | 341 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 341 available after Dec 23. | Sep 11 |
| Zucchini | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Onion | Nov 25 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 313 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 313 available after Jan 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 23–Feb 10 | 355 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Kale | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 313 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 313 available after Jan 20. | Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 327 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 327 available after Jan 20. | Sep 20 |
| Radish | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 21 |
| Beets | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 22 | 383 | overwinter: Plant Nov 22 to Dec 13; harvest the following summer. | Dec 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 13–Mar 10 | 334 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 250 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 250 available after Feb 24. | Aug 4 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 3 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 3. | Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 292 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 10. | Sep 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 3 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 355 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 327 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 327 available after Jan 20. | Aug 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 3. | Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Dec 30 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 3. | Aug 2 |
| Okra | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Basil | Jan 13 | Mar 10–Mar 10 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 20–Feb 10 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Parsley | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 278 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 24. | Sep 6 |
| Celery | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 278 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 24. | Jul 18 |
| Scallions | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 20 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Collards | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 236 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 3. | Jul 18 |
| Chives | Nov 25 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 292 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Oregano | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 292 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 25 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 278 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Sage | Dec 23 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 292 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 292 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Cosmos | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Lavender | Nov 25 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 6 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Melons | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 236 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 3. | Jul 18 |
| Mint | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 257 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 24. | Aug 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 3. | Jul 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 264 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 17. | Aug 16 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 23 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Feb 24. | Jul 28 |
| Watermelon | Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Feb 24. | Jul 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Zinnias | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
Month by month in Bakersfield
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Calendula (Jan 6), Cauliflower (Jan 6), Marigolds (Jan 6), Pepper (Jan 6), Basil (Jan 13), Tomato (Jan 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 6), Cilantro (Jan 20), Turnip (Jan 20), Carrots (Jan 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 20), Cabbage (Jan 20), Collards (Jan 20), Kale (Jan 20), Lettuce (Jan 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 13). |
| February | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Feb 3), Cantaloupe (Feb 3), Melons (Feb 3), Pumpkin (Feb 3), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 3), Watermelon (Feb 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Feb 3), Sunflowers (Feb 17), Beans (Feb 24), Pole Beans (Feb 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 3), Swiss Chard (Feb 3), Bok Choy (Feb 10), Cauliflower (Feb 10), Cosmos (Feb 17), Lavender (Feb 17), +15 more. Last frost around February 17. |
| March | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Mar 3), Cantaloupe (Mar 3), Cucumber (Mar 3), Eggplant (Mar 3), Melons (Mar 3), Pepper (Mar 3), +6 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 10), Pumpkin (Jul 10), Cantaloupe (Jul 18), Celery (Jul 18), Melons (Jul 18), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 20), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 2), Corn (Aug 4), Sunflowers (Aug 16), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 21), Pole Beans (Aug 21), Basil (Aug 26), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Sep 1), Beans (Sep 2), Marigolds (Sep 5), Parsley (Sep 6), Peas (Sep 11), Cabbage (Sep 20), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Oct 1), Lettuce (Oct 1), Kale (Oct 5), Kohlrabi (Oct 5), Turnip (Oct 10), Arugula (Oct 20), +2 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 25), Lavender (Nov 25), Onion (Nov 25), Rosemary (Nov 25). Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 22). First frost around November 22. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 9), Collards (Dec 9), Kale (Dec 9), Oregano (Dec 9), Parsley (Dec 9), Scallions (Dec 9), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 23), Beets (Dec 23), Dill (Dec 23), Peas (Dec 23), Radish (Dec 23), Spinach (Dec 23). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 13). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bakersfield, CA (ZIP 93301)?
The median last spring frost date for Bakersfield, CA (ZIP code 93301) is around February 17. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before January 18; one in ten it runs past March 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Bakersfield, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Bakersfield, CA is around November 22. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 7 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bakersfield, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Bakersfield is about 278 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Bakersfield (278 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Bakersfield, CA?
Bakersfield, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Bakersfield, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 13 and plant out Mar 3 in Bakersfield. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bakersfield?
Two: plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29.
When do I plant garlic in Bakersfield?
Nov 22 to Dec 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Bakersfield?
Yes: plant out Mar 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 23 for a fall crop.
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