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

Planting zone for 93604 — Bass Lake, CA

ZIP code 93604 (Bass Lake, Madera County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 93604 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 24
First frostNov 4
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bass Lake, 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 Bass Lake, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station N Fk Rs, CA — 8 miles away, elevation 2,644 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 93604

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 93604 came on Feb 1 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

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 Bass Lake, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93604 is Holland family — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Holland-Chawanakee families complex, 35 to 65 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 93604; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bass Lake, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days89days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights89nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,875base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation33 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 57 °F, low 32 °F 57°32° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 32 °F 59°32° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 35 °F 63°35° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 38 °F 67°38° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 45 °F 77°45° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 51 °F 87°51° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 58 °F 95°58° JulAugust: average high 95 °F, low 58 °F 95°58° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 52 °F 90°52° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 44 °F 78°44° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 37 °F 65°37° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.08 in precipitation 7.1 JanFebruary: 6.36 in precipitation 6.4 FebMarch: 5.22 in precipitation 5.2 MarApril: 2.40 in precipitation 2.4 AprMay: 1.42 in precipitation 1.4 MayJune: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 JunJuly: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 1.68 in precipitation 1.7 OctNovember: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 5.24 in precipitation 5.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: N Fk Rs, CA (8 mi away); precipitation: N Fk Rs, CA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

936699a
Wishon, CA · 4 mi
936449a
Oakhurst, CA · 6 mi
936439a
North Fork, CA · 10 mi
936019a
Ahwahnee, CA · 12 mi
936238a
Fish Camp, CA · 12 mi
936149a
Coarsegold, CA · 14 mi
936459a
O Neals, CA · 14 mi
936029a
Auberry, CA · 21 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93604

What planting zone is ZIP code 93604?

ZIP code 93604 (Bass Lake, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Bass Lake, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93604 is April 24; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Fk Rs station.

When is the first frost in Bass Lake, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93604 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93604?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93604 get?

About 33 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Fk Rs station).

How hot do summers get in Bass Lake, CA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 89 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93604 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Holland family at the center of ZIP 93604: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Bass Lake, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93604 came on Feb 1 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bass Lake, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93604 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93604 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93604 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.