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

Planting zone for Visalia, CA

Visalia, CA is in USDA zone 9b across its 6 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is January 23 and the first fall frost December 13.

Visalia on the zone map

Outlined: its 3 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 codes6

Last frostJan 23

First frostDec 13

Growing season328 days

9b 6 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Visalia, CA…

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 Visalia, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJanuary 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsFebruary 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 27

Growing season328 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 2 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Visalia, CA, elevation 302 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 Visalia

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 12 – Jan 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 14 – Nov 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Nov 28 – Dec 12

TomatoesTransplant · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 14 – Nov 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 6 – Feb 20

BeansSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 18 – Nov 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 29 – Jan 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 23) and first fall frost (Dec 13) 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 93278 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 Visalia, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93278 is Nord — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigated and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Nord fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 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 93278; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Visalia, CA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days95days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights9nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,138base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.3 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: Visalia, CA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Visalia, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Visalia

California planting zones →

Questions about Visalia

What planting zone is Visalia, CA?

Visalia, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map (9b: 25 to 30 °F).

When is the last frost in Visalia, CA?

The median last spring frost is January 23 and the median first fall frost is December 13 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Visalia station).

When can I plant a garden in Visalia, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 12 – Jan 2; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Jan 30, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Visalia, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Visalia, CA get?

About 10.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).