Frost Dates for Porterville, CA 93257
Last spring frost March 5 · First fall frost November 17 · 257 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 93257 has about 80,500 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Porterville.
Very long season: 257 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 12–April 29 (17 days). Fall frost risk spans November 1–December 3 (32 days).
Frost probability for 93257
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 5 | April 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 1 | November 17 | December 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LINDSAY (28.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Porterville, CA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93257 | March 5 | November 17 | 9b |
| 93258 | February 8 | November 28 | 9b |
Which crops fit a 257-day season in Porterville
In Porterville (257 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 29 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 19. | Jul 18 |
| Pepper | Jan 22 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 215 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 19. | Jul 23 |
| Lettuce | Jan 8 | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 26 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 299 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 12. | Sep 15 |
| Cucumber | Feb 12 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Beans | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Peas | — | Jan 8–Mar 19 | 320 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 320 available after Jan 8. | Sep 6 |
| Zucchini | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Onion | Dec 11 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 292 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 8–Feb 26 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 8 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 15 |
| Kale | Dec 25 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Broccoli | Jan 8 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 292 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 5. | Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Jan 8 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 306 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 5. | Sep 15 |
| Radish | — | Jan 8–Apr 2 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 8 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 16 |
| Beets | — | Jan 8–Apr 2 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 8 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 19–Feb 26 | 278 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 17 | 362 | overwinter: Plant Nov 17 to Dec 8; harvest the following summer. | Dec 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 29–Mar 26 | 313 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 29; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 5 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 229 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 12. | Jul 30 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 19 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 19. | Jul 5 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 22 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 271 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 26. | Aug 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 8 | Feb 19–Feb 19 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 8–Apr 2 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 8 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 8 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 306 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 5. | Aug 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 19. | Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Jan 15 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 19. | Jul 28 |
| Okra | Feb 5 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Basil | Jan 29 | Mar 26–Mar 26 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 5–Feb 26 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Parsley | Dec 25 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 257 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 12. | Sep 1 |
| Celery | Dec 25 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 257 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 12. | Jul 13 |
| Scallions | Dec 25 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 25 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 5 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 26 |
| Collards | Dec 25 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 215 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 19. | Jul 13 |
| Chives | Dec 11 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 271 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 8–Apr 2 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 8 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Oregano | Dec 25 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 271 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 11 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 257 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Sage | Jan 8 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 271 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 25 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 271 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Cosmos | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Lavender | Dec 11 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 278 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 278 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Melons | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 215 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 19. | Jul 13 |
| Mint | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 278 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 278 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 236 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 12. | Aug 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 19. | Jul 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 5. | Aug 11 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 8 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 222 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 12. | Jul 23 |
| Watermelon | Feb 19 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 12. | Jul 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Zinnias | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
Month by month in Porterville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 8), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 8), Cabbage (Jan 8), Lettuce (Jan 8), Sage (Jan 8), Swiss Chard (Jan 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 8), Beets (Jan 8), Dill (Jan 8), Peas (Jan 8), Radish (Jan 8), Spinach (Jan 8), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 5), Corn (Feb 5), Cosmos (Feb 5), Nasturtiums (Feb 5), Okra (Feb 5), Zinnias (Feb 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 5), Turnip (Feb 5), Carrots (Feb 12), Potatoes (Feb 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 5), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 5), Cabbage (Feb 5), Collards (Feb 5), Kale (Feb 5), Lettuce (Feb 5), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 5), Beans (Mar 12), Pole Beans (Mar 12). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 5), Lavender (Mar 5), Marigolds (Mar 5), Mint (Mar 5), Nasturtiums (Mar 5), Zinnias (Mar 5), +23 more. Last frost around March 5. |
| 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 5), Pumpkin (Jul 5), Cantaloupe (Jul 13), Celery (Jul 13), Melons (Jul 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 15), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 11), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 16), Pole Beans (Aug 16), Basil (Aug 21), Cosmos (Aug 21), Cucumber (Aug 21), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Sep 1), Peas (Sep 6), Cabbage (Sep 15), Carrots (Sep 15), Beets (Sep 16), Dill (Sep 16), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 5), Arugula (Oct 15), Spinach (Oct 15), Radish (Oct 16). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 17). First frost around November 17. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 11), Lavender (Dec 11), Onion (Dec 11), Rosemary (Dec 11), Celery (Dec 25), Collards (Dec 25), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 8). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Porterville, CA (ZIP 93257)?
The median last spring frost date for Porterville, CA (ZIP code 93257) is around March 5. 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 12; one in ten it runs past April 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Porterville, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Porterville, CA is around November 17. 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 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Porterville, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Porterville is about 257 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 Porterville (257 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 Porterville, CA?
Porterville, 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 Porterville, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 29 and plant out Mar 19 in Porterville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Porterville?
Two: plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 24.
When do I plant garlic in Porterville?
Nov 17 to Dec 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Porterville?
Yes: plant out Mar 19 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 18 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Lindsay (ZIP 93247) has 281 frost-free days, 24 more than Porterville (ZIP 93257). See Lindsay ZIP 93247 frost dates
Nearby and related
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