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

Planting zone for 93242 — Laton, CA

ZIP code 93242 (Laton, Fresno County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 7 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 93242 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostFeb 7
First frostDec 1
2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Laton, 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 Laton, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 16
Growing season296 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 12 and returns around December 14.

From the NOAA station Hanford 1 S, CA — 10 miles away, elevation 236 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 93242

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 27 – Jan 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 29 – Dec 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 13 – Dec 27
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 29 – Dec 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 21 – Mar 7
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 7) and first fall frost (Dec 1) 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 93242 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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 Laton, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93242 is Grangeville — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Grangeville fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 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 93242; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Laton, CA

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, December
Hot days108days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights24nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,463base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 39 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation10.2 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 37 °F 56°37° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 55 °F 84°55° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 61 °F 92°61° JunJuly: average high 98 °F, low 66 °F 98°66° JulAugust: average high 97 °F, low 64 °F 97°64° AugSeptember: average high 92 °F, low 59 °F 92°59° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 51 °F 81°51° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 JanFebruary: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 MarApril: 0.82 in precipitation 0.8 AprMay: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 OctNovember: 0.76 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hanford 1 S, CA (10 mi away); precipitation: Hanford 3.6 N, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

936629b
Selma, CA · 8 mi
932029a
Armona, CA · 9 mi
932329a
Hanford, CA · 9 mi
936099a
Caruthers, CA · 9 mi
936569a
Riverdale, CA · 11 mi
932309a
Hanford, CA · 12 mi
936319b
Kingsburg, CA · 12 mi
932459a
Lemoore, CA · 12 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93242

What planting zone is ZIP code 93242?

ZIP code 93242 (Laton, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Laton, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93242 is February 7; after March 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hanford 1 S station.

When is the first frost in Laton, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93242 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 296 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93242?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 13 – Dec 27 and set transplants outside around Feb 14 – Feb 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93242 get?

About 10.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hanford 3.6 N station).

How hot do summers get in Laton, CA?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in July, with about 108 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93242 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Grangeville at the center of ZIP 93242: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Laton, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93242 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Laton, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93242 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.