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

Planting zone for 93238 — Kernville, CA

ZIP code 93238 (Kernville, Kern County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 93238 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 7
First frostNov 11
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 Kernville, 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 Kernville, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 30
Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Kern River Ph 3, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 2,704 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 93238

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 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 93238 came on Feb 4 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

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 Kernville, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93238 is Cieneba — coarse sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureCoarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Cieneba complex, 50 to 75 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 93238; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kernville, CA

Summer high99 °Faverage high, July
Winter low31 °Faverage low, December
Hot days111days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights68nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,694base 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
Precipitation11.8 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 61 °F, low 32 °F 61°32° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 33 °F 63°33° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 41 °F 72°41° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 48 °F 80°48° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 56 °F 91°56° JunJuly: average high 99 °F, low 63 °F 99°63° JulAugust: average high 98 °F, low 62 °F 98°62° AugSeptember: average high 92 °F, low 56 °F 92°56° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 46 °F 81°46° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 36 °F 69°36° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 31 °F 60°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.29 in precipitation 2.3 JanFebruary: 2.39 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 1.71 in precipitation 1.7 MarApril: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 AprMay: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.23 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 OctNovember: 1.35 in precipitation 1.4 NovDecember: 1.91 in precipitation 1.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kern River Ph 3, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Kern River Ph 3, CA (6 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.

932077b
California Hot Springs, CA · 6 mi
932858b
Wofford Heights, CA · 7 mi
932609a
Posey, CA · 9 mi
932268b
Glennville, CA · 16 mi
932409a
Lake Isabella, CA · 16 mi
932058b
Bodfish, CA · 19 mi
932088b
Camp Nelson, CA · 21 mi
932839a
Weldon, CA · 21 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93238

What planting zone is ZIP code 93238?

ZIP code 93238 (Kernville, 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 Kernville, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93238 is April 7; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kern River Ph 3 station.

When is the first frost in Kernville, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93238 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93238?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93238 get?

About 11.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kern River Ph 3 station).

How hot do summers get in Kernville, CA?

The average high peaks at 99 °F in July, with about 111 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93238 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cieneba at the center of ZIP 93238: coarse sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Kernville, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93238 came on Feb 4 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kernville, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93238 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93238 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93238 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.