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

Planting zone for 93603 — Badger, CA

ZIP code 93603 (Badger, Tulare County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost December 8.

Where ZIP 93603 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 frostFeb 5
First frostDec 8
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Badger, 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 Badger, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 8median — 10% chance by Nov 23
Growing season307 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 5 and returns around December 22.

From the NOAA station Lemon Cove, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 512 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 93603

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 15 – Jan 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 13 – Oct 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 24 – Dec 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 5) and first fall frost (Dec 8) 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 93603 came on Jan 22 — 7 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 Badger, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93603 is Friant — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Friant-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 75 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 93603; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Badger, CA

Summer high100 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, December
Hot days125days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights16nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,719base 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

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 47 °F 77°47° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 54 °F 86°54° MayJune: average high 94 °F, low 59 °F 94°59° JunJuly: average high 100 °F, low 65 °F 100°65° JulAugust: average high 99 °F, low 63 °F 99°63° AugSeptember: average high 94 °F, low 59 °F 94°59° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 51 °F 83°51° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° 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: Lemon Cove, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Three Rivers 1.7 Ne, CA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

932379b
Kaweah, CA · 5 mi
932869b
Woodlake, CA · 6 mi
932449b
Lemon Cove, CA · 7 mi
932719b
Three Rivers, CA · 7 mi
936479b
Orosi, CA · 13 mi
932219b
Exeter, CA · 13 mi
932359b
Ivanhoe, CA · 14 mi
932929b
Visalia, CA · 15 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93603

What planting zone is ZIP code 93603?

ZIP code 93603 (Badger, 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 Badger, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93603 is February 5; after March 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lemon Cove station.

When is the first frost in Badger, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93603 is December 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 307 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93603?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 11 – Dec 25 and set transplants outside around Feb 12 – Feb 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93603 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 Badger, CA?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in July, with about 125 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93603 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Friant at the center of ZIP 93603: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Badger, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93603 came on Jan 22 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Badger, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93603 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93603 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93603 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.