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

Planting zone for 93205 — Bodfish, CA

ZIP code 93205 (Bodfish, Kern County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 93205 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 5
First frostNov 3
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bodfish, 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 Bodfish, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season212 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station S Lake Fs, CA — 9 miles away, elevation 2,654 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 93205

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 93205 came on Jan 30 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

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 Bodfish, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93205 is Alberti — cobbly clay loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.85%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alberti complex, 15 to 50 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 93205; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bodfish, CA

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days114days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,736base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation10.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 59 °F, low 30 °F 59°30° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 34 °F 62°34° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 40 °F 73°40° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 52 °F 82°52° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 59 °F 92°59° JunJuly: average high 98 °F, low 65 °F 98°65° JulAugust: average high 98 °F, low 62 °F 98°62° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 55 °F 91°55° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 43 °F 81°43° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 34 °F 69°34° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 30 °F 58°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.12 in precipitation 2.1 JanFebruary: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 FebMarch: 1.99 in precipitation 2.0 MarApril: 0.97 in precipitation 1.0 AprMay: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 OctNovember: 1.06 in precipitation 1.1 NovDecember: 1.56 in precipitation 1.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: S Lake Fs, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Walker Basin 0.9 E, CA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

932409a
Lake Isabella, CA · 4 mi
932839a
Weldon, CA · 11 mi
932858b
Wofford Heights, CA · 12 mi
935188b
Caliente, CA · 13 mi
932268b
Glennville, CA · 18 mi
932388b
Kernville, CA · 19 mi
932609a
Posey, CA · 20 mi
932559a
Onyx, CA · 23 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93205

What planting zone is ZIP code 93205?

ZIP code 93205 (Bodfish, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Bodfish, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93205 is April 5; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, S Lake Fs station.

When is the first frost in Bodfish, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93205 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 212 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93205?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93205 get?

About 10.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walker Basin 0.9 E station).

How hot do summers get in Bodfish, CA?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in July, with about 114 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93205 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alberti at the center of ZIP 93205: cobbly clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bodfish, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93205 came on Jan 30 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bodfish, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93205 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93205 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93205 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.