Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Fresno, CA

Fresno, CA is in USDA zone 9b across its 57 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is January 30 and the first fall frost December 11.

Fresno on the zone map

Outlined: its 20 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

ZIP codes57

Last frostJan 30

First frostDec 11

Growing season319 days

9b 57 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Fresno, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostJanuary 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 11median — 10% chance by Nov 25

Growing season319 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 4 and returns around December 24.

From the NOAA station Fresno 5 Ne, CA, elevation 338 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Fresno

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 19 – Jan 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 21 – Dec 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 21 – Dec 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 13 – Feb 27

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 16 – Oct 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 27 – Jan 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 30) and first fall frost (Dec 11) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 93727 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
Jan 30

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Fresno, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93727 is Atwater — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Atwater sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 93727; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fresno, CA

Summer high102 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days124days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,297base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation11.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fresno 5 Ne, CA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Fresno 5 Ne, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.