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

Planting zone for 93263 — Shafter, CA

ZIP code 93263 (Shafter, Kern County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 20 and the first fall frost November 23.

Where ZIP 93263 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 20

First frostNov 23

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 Shafter, 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 Shafter, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 23median — 10% chance by Nov 5

Growing season276 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 22 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station Shafter 6e, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 404 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 93263

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 28 – Oct 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 9 – Dec 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 20) and first fall frost (Nov 23) 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 93263 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
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 Shafter, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93263 is Wasco — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Wasco sandy loam.

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 93263; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shafter, CA

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August

Winter low34 °Faverage low, December

Hot days114days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights35nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,071base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 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

Precipitation7.7 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: Shafter 6e, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Shafter 6e, CA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

933149b

Bakersfield, CA · 7 mi

933129b

Bakersfield, CA · 11 mi

932069a

Buttonwillow, CA · 12 mi

932509b

Mc Farland, CA · 13 mi

Bakersfield, CA · 16 mi

933019b

Bakersfield, CA · 16 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93263

What planting zone is ZIP code 93263?

ZIP code 93263 (Shafter, 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 Shafter, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93263 is February 20; after March 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shafter 6e station.

When is the first frost in Shafter, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93263 is November 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 276 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93263?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 26 – Jan 9 and set transplants outside around Feb 27 – Mar 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93263 get?

About 7.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shafter 6e station).

How hot do summers get in Shafter, CA?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 114 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93263 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wasco at the center of ZIP 93263: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Shafter, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93263 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 Shafter, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93263 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.