Frost Dates for Orange Cove, CA 93646
Last spring frost March 4 · First fall frost December 3 · 274 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 93646 has about 10,300 people.
Very long season: 274 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 18–May 16 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans November 5–December 31 (56 days).
Frost probability for 93646
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 18 | March 4 | May 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 5 | December 3 | December 31 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BALCH PWR HOUSE (35.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 274-day season in Orange Cove
In Orange Cove (274 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 28 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 18. | Aug 3 |
| Pepper | Jan 21 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 18. | Aug 8 |
| Lettuce | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 11 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 12 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 11–Feb 18 | 316 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 11. | Oct 1 |
| Cucumber | Feb 11 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Beans | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Peas | — | Jan 7–Mar 18 | 337 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 337 available after Jan 7. | Sep 22 |
| Zucchini | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Onion | Dec 10 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 309 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 7–Feb 25 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 31 |
| Kale | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 16 |
| Broccoli | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 309 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 4. | Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 323 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 323 available after Feb 4. | Oct 1 |
| Radish | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Nov 1; both mature before Dec 10. | Nov 1 |
| Beets | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 18–Feb 25 | 295 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 295 available after Feb 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 3 | 379 | overwinter: Plant Dec 3 to Dec 24; harvest the following summer. | Dec 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 28–Mar 25 | 330 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 4 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 11. | Aug 15 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 18 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 18. | Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 288 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 25. | Sep 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 7 | Feb 18–Feb 18 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 31 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 7 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 323 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 323 available after Feb 4. | Sep 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 18. | Jul 21 |
| Eggplant | Jan 14 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 18. | Aug 13 |
| Okra | Feb 4 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Basil | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Mar 25 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 4–Feb 25 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 7 |
| Parsley | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 274 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 11. | Sep 17 |
| Celery | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 274 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 11. | Jul 29 |
| Scallions | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 11 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 16 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 4 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 12 |
| Collards | Dec 24 | Feb 4–Feb 18 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 232 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 18. | Jul 29 |
| Chives | Dec 10 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 288 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 7–Apr 1 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Oregano | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 288 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 10 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 274 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Sage | Jan 7 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 288 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 24 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 288 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 288 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 7 |
| Cosmos | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Lavender | Dec 10 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 295 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 295 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Melons | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 232 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 18. | Jul 29 |
| Mint | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 295 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 295 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 253 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 11. | Sep 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 18. | Jul 31 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 4. | Aug 27 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 7 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 239 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 11. | Aug 8 |
| Watermelon | Feb 18 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 11. | Aug 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Zinnias | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
Month by month in Orange Cove
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 7), Cabbage (Jan 7), Lettuce (Jan 7), Sage (Jan 7), Swiss Chard (Jan 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 7), Beets (Jan 7), Dill (Jan 7), Peas (Jan 7), Radish (Jan 7), Spinach (Jan 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 28). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 4), Corn (Feb 4), Cosmos (Feb 4), Nasturtiums (Feb 4), Okra (Feb 4), Zinnias (Feb 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 4), Turnip (Feb 4), Carrots (Feb 11), Potatoes (Feb 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 4), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 4), Cabbage (Feb 4), Collards (Feb 4), Kale (Feb 4), Lettuce (Feb 4), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 4), Beans (Mar 11), Pole Beans (Mar 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 4), Lavender (Mar 4), Marigolds (Mar 4), Mint (Mar 4), Nasturtiums (Mar 4), Zinnias (Mar 4), +23 more. Last frost around March 4. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 21), Pumpkin (Jul 21), Cantaloupe (Jul 29), Celery (Jul 29), Melons (Jul 29), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 31). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Aug 3), Watermelon (Aug 3), Pepper (Aug 8), Tomatillos (Aug 8), Eggplant (Aug 13), Corn (Aug 15), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Sep 1), Pole Beans (Sep 1), Basil (Sep 6), Cosmos (Sep 6), Cucumber (Sep 6), Zinnias (Sep 6), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 1), Carrots (Oct 1), Beets (Oct 2), Dill (Oct 2), Swiss Chard (Oct 2), Calendula (Oct 7), +10 more. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Radish (Nov 1). |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 10), Lavender (Dec 10), Onion (Dec 10), Rosemary (Dec 10), Celery (Dec 24), Collards (Dec 24), +5 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 3). First frost around December 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 24). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Orange Cove, CA (ZIP 93646)?
The median last spring frost date for Orange Cove, CA (ZIP code 93646) is around March 4. 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 April 18; one in ten it runs past May 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Orange Cove, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Orange Cove, CA is around December 3. 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 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Orange Cove, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Orange Cove is about 274 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 Orange Cove (274 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 Orange Cove, CA?
Orange Cove, 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 Orange Cove, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 28 and plant out Mar 18 in Orange Cove. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Orange Cove?
Two: plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 10.
When do I plant garlic in Orange Cove?
Dec 3 to Dec 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Orange Cove?
Yes: plant out Mar 18 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 3 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Reedley (ZIP 93654) has 302 frost-free days, 28 more than Orange Cove (ZIP 93646). See Reedley ZIP 93654 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Reedley, CA 93654 (6.5 mi)
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- Frost dates for Dinuba, CA 93618 (9.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Parlier, CA 93648 (12.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Sanger, CA 93657 (13.6 mi)
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