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

Planting zone for 93271 — Three Rivers, CA

ZIP code 93271 (Three Rivers, Tulare County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 26.

Where ZIP 93271 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 frostMar 16
First frostNov 26
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 Three Rivers, 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 Three Rivers, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 26median — 10% chance by Nov 5
Growing season249 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 30 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Three Rivers Edison Ph 1, CA — 2 miles away, elevation 1,142 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 93271

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 1 – Oct 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 12 – Dec 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 26) 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 93271 came on Jan 25 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

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 Three Rivers, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93271 is Vista — coarse sandy loam, well drained.

TextureCoarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vista-Rock outcrop complex, 9 to 50 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 93271; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Three Rivers, CA

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, December
Hot days114days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights30nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,996base 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
Precipitation19.9 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 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 44 °F 73°44° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 51 °F 82°51° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 58 °F 91°58° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 65 °F 97°65° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 64 °F 96°64° AugSeptember: average high 92 °F, low 58 °F 92°58° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 49 °F 79°49° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 FebMarch: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 2.00 in precipitation 2.0 AprMay: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 MayJune: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.86 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 NovDecember: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Three Rivers Edison Ph 1, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Three Rivers 1.7 Ne, CA (within 1 mile). 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.

932379b
Kaweah, CA · 3 mi
932449b
Lemon Cove, CA · 7 mi
936039b
Badger, CA · 7 mi
932626b
Sequoia National Park, CA · 12 mi
932869b
Woodlake, CA · 12 mi
932219b
Exeter, CA · 13 mi
932659b
Springville, CA · 19 mi
932929b
Visalia, CA · 19 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93271

What planting zone is ZIP code 93271?

ZIP code 93271 (Three Rivers, 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 Three Rivers, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93271 is March 16; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Three Rivers Edison Ph 1 station.

When is the first frost in Three Rivers, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93271 is November 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 249 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93271?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93271 get?

About 19.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Three Rivers 1.7 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Three Rivers, CA?

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

What kind of soil does 93271 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vista at the center of ZIP 93271: coarse sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Three Rivers, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93271 came on Jan 25 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Three Rivers, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93271 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.