Frost Dates for Bakersfield, CA 93308
Bakersfield has 11 ZIP codes. The Bakersfield, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 18 · First fall frost November 22 · 277 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 93308 has about 55,100 people, one of 11 ZIP codes in Bakersfield.
Very long season: 277 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 21–April 29 (39 days). Fall frost risk spans November 7–November 8 (1 days).
Frost probability for 93308
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 21 | February 18 | April 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 7 | November 22 | November 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WASCO (38.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 277-day season in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield (277 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 14 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 4. | Jul 23 |
| Pepper | Jan 7 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 4. | Jul 28 |
| Lettuce | Dec 24 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 319 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 319 available after Jan 28. | Sep 20 |
| Cucumber | Jan 28 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Beans | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Peas | — | Dec 24–Mar 4 | 340 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 340 available after Dec 24. | Sep 11 |
| Zucchini | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Onion | Nov 26 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 312 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 312 available after Jan 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 24–Feb 11 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Kale | Dec 10 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Dec 24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 312 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 312 available after Jan 21. | Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Dec 24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 326 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 21. | Sep 20 |
| Radish | — | Dec 24–Mar 18 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 21 |
| Beets | — | Dec 24–Mar 18 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 4–Feb 11 | 298 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 22 | 382 | overwinter: Plant Nov 22 to Dec 13; harvest the following summer. | Dec 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 14–Mar 11 | 333 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 21 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 249 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 25. | Aug 4 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 4 | 242 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 4. | Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 7 | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 291 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 11. | Sep 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 4 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 24–Mar 18 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 24 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 326 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 21. | Aug 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 242 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 4. | Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Dec 31 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 235 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 4. | Aug 2 |
| Okra | Jan 21 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Basil | Jan 14 | Mar 11–Mar 11 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 21–Feb 11 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Parsley | Dec 10 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 277 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 25. | Sep 6 |
| Celery | Dec 10 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 277 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 25. | Jul 18 |
| Scallions | Dec 10 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 7–Jan 21 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 21 | Feb 11–Feb 18 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 1 |
| Collards | Dec 10 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 235 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 4. | Jul 18 |
| Chives | Nov 26 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 24–Mar 18 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 24 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Oregano | Dec 10 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 291 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 26 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 277 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Sage | Dec 24 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 291 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 10 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Cosmos | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Lavender | Nov 26 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 298 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 7 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Melons | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 235 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 4. | Jul 18 |
| Mint | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 298 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 256 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 25. | Aug 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 4. | Jul 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 18. | Aug 16 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 24 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 242 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 242 available after Feb 25. | Jul 28 |
| Watermelon | Feb 4 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 242 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 242 available after Feb 25. | Jul 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Zinnias | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 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 7), Cauliflower (Jan 7), Marigolds (Jan 7), Pepper (Jan 7), Basil (Jan 14), Tomato (Jan 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 7), Cilantro (Jan 21), Turnip (Jan 21), Carrots (Jan 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 21), Cabbage (Jan 21), Collards (Jan 21), Kale (Jan 21), Lettuce (Jan 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 14). |
| February | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Feb 4), Cantaloupe (Feb 4), Melons (Feb 4), Pumpkin (Feb 4), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 4), Watermelon (Feb 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Feb 4), Sunflowers (Feb 18), Beans (Feb 25), Pole Beans (Feb 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 4), Swiss Chard (Feb 4), Bok Choy (Feb 11), Cauliflower (Feb 11), Cosmos (Feb 18), Lavender (Feb 18), +15 more. Last frost around February 18. |
| March | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Mar 4), Cantaloupe (Mar 4), Cucumber (Mar 4), Eggplant (Mar 4), Melons (Mar 4), Pepper (Mar 4), +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 26), Lavender (Nov 26), Onion (Nov 26), Rosemary (Nov 26). Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 22). First frost around November 22. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 10), Collards (Dec 10), Kale (Dec 10), Oregano (Dec 10), Parsley (Dec 10), Scallions (Dec 10), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 24), Beets (Dec 24), Dill (Dec 24), Peas (Dec 24), Radish (Dec 24), Spinach (Dec 24). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 13). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bakersfield, CA (ZIP 93308)?
The median last spring frost date for Bakersfield, CA (ZIP code 93308) is around February 18. 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 March 21; one in ten it runs past April 29.
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 277 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 (277 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 14 and plant out Mar 4 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 21 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 4 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 23 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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