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

Planting zone for 93280 — Wasco, CA

ZIP code 93280 (Wasco, Kern County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is January 31 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 93280 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 frostJan 31
First frostDec 5
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 Wasco, 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 Wasco, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJanuary 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsFebruary 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 21
Growing season315 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 4 and returns around December 16.

From the NOAA station Wasco, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 292 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 93280

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 6 – Dec 20
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 10 – Oct 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 21 – Dec 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 5) 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 93280 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

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 Wasco, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93280 is Garces — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Garces silt 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 93280; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wasco, CA

Summer high100 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, December
Hot days126days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,093base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation7.1 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 59 °F, low 39 °F 59°39° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 57 °F 86°57° MayJune: average high 94 °F, low 63 °F 94°63° JunJuly: average high 100 °F, low 69 °F 100°69° JulAugust: average high 99 °F, low 66 °F 99°66° AugSeptember: average high 94 °F, low 62 °F 94°62° SepOctober: average high 82 °F, low 53 °F 82°53° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.29 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 1.3 JanFebruary: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 FebMarch: 1.37 in precipitation 1.4 MarApril: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 MayJune: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 SepOctober: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 OctNovember: 0.58 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wasco, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Wasco, CA (7 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.

932509b
Mc Farland, CA · 14 mi
932169b
Delano, CA · 14 mi
932069a
Buttonwillow, CA · 15 mi
932019a
Alpaugh, CA · 15 mi
932639a
Shafter, CA · 15 mi
932159b
Delano, CA · 17 mi
932199a
Earlimart, CA · 18 mi
933149b
Bakersfield, CA · 21 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93280

What planting zone is ZIP code 93280?

ZIP code 93280 (Wasco, 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 Wasco, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93280 is January 31; after February 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wasco station.

When is the first frost in Wasco, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93280 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 315 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93280?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 6 – Dec 20 and set transplants outside around Feb 7 – Feb 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93280 get?

About 7.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wasco station).

How hot do summers get in Wasco, CA?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in July, with about 126 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93280 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Garces at the center of ZIP 93280: silt loam, well drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Wasco, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93280 came on Jan 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wasco, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93280 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.