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

Planting zone for 93266 — Stratford, CA

ZIP code 93266 (Stratford, Kings County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 24 and the first fall frost November 22.

Where ZIP 93266 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 24
First frostNov 22
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 Stratford, 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 Stratford, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 3
Growing season265 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 20 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Lemoore Reeves NAS, CA — 12 miles away, elevation 233 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 93266

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 27 – Oct 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 8 – Dec 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 24) and first fall frost (Nov 22) 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 93266 came on Feb 1 — 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 Stratford, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93266 is Houser — clay, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Houser clay, partially drained.

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 93266; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stratford, CA

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, December
Hot days120days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,150base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation9.4 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 39 °F 63°39° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 46 °F 76°46° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 53 °F 85°53° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 58 °F 92°58° JunJuly: average high 98 °F, low 63 °F 98°63° JulAugust: average high 97 °F, low 61 °F 97°61° AugSeptember: average high 92 °F, low 57 °F 92°57° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 49 °F 81°49° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.85 in precipitation 1.9 JanFebruary: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 FebMarch: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 MarApril: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 AprMay: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 OctNovember: 0.75 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 1.78 in precipitation 1.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lemoore Reeves NAS, CA (12 mi away); precipitation: Lemoore 0.3 Sw, CA (9 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.

932459a
Lemoore, CA · 8 mi
932469a
Lemoore, CA · 11 mi
932399b
Kettleman City, CA · 12 mi
932349b
Huron, CA · 13 mi
932029a
Armona, CA · 13 mi
932309a
Hanford, CA · 15 mi
932329a
Hanford, CA · 16 mi
932829a
Waukena, CA · 19 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93266

What planting zone is ZIP code 93266?

ZIP code 93266 (Stratford, 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 Stratford, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93266 is February 24; after March 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lemoore Reeves NAS station.

When is the first frost in Stratford, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93266 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 265 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93266?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 30 – Jan 13 and set transplants outside around Mar 3 – Mar 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93266 get?

About 9.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lemoore 0.3 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Stratford, CA?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in July, with about 120 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93266 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Houser at the center of ZIP 93266: clay, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Stratford, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93266 came on Feb 1 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 Stratford, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93266 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.