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

Planting zone for 93218 — Ducor, CA

ZIP code 93218 (Ducor, Tulare County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 31 and the first fall frost December 8.

Where ZIP 93218 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F
Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C
Last frostJan 31
First frostDec 8
2012 zone9b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ducor, 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 Ducor, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJanuary 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 8median — 10% chance by Nov 23
Growing season309 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around December 31 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Delano, CA — 14 miles away, 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 93218

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 6 – Dec 20
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 13 – Oct 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 24 – Dec 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 8) 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 93218 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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 Ducor, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93218 is Centerville — clay, well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Centerville clay, 2 to 5 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 93218; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ducor, CA

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, December
Hot days116days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights18nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,546base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 36 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation7.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 38 °F 56°38° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 56 °F 83°56° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 62 °F 92°62° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 68 °F 97°68° JulAugust: average high 97 °F, low 66 °F 97°66° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 62 °F 91°62° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 53 °F 80°53° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.40 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 FebMarch: 1.39 in precipitation 1.4 MarApril: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.09 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 SepOctober: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 OctNovember: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 1.19 in precipitation 1.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Delano, CA (14 mi away); precipitation: Delano, CA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

932619b
Richgrove, CA · 5 mi
932709b
Terra Bella, CA · 6 mi
932159b
Delano, CA · 10 mi
932879b
Woody, CA · 12 mi
932579b
Porterville, CA · 12 mi
932169b
Delano, CA · 13 mi
932199a
Earlimart, CA · 14 mi
932589b
Porterville, CA · 15 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93218

What planting zone is ZIP code 93218?

ZIP code 93218 (Ducor, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Ducor, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93218 is January 31; after March 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Delano station.

When is the first frost in Ducor, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93218 is December 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 309 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93218?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 6 – Dec 20 and set transplants outside around Feb 7 – Feb 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93218 get?

About 7.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Delano station).

How hot do summers get in Ducor, CA?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in July, with about 116 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93218 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Centerville at the center of ZIP 93218: clay, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Ducor, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93218 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ducor, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93218 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.