Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 93610 — Chowchilla, CA

ZIP code 93610 (Chowchilla, Madera County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 12 and the first fall frost November 30.

Where ZIP 93610 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 12

First frostNov 30

2012 zone9b

Was 9b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chowchilla, 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 Chowchilla, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostFebruary 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 30median — 10% chance by Nov 14

Growing season293 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 7 and returns around December 15.

From the NOAA station Madera Municipal Airport, CA — 12 miles away, elevation 253 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 93610

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 1 – Jan 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 4 – Dec 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 4 – Dec 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 5 – Oct 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 16 – Dec 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 12) and first fall frost (Nov 30) 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 93610 came on Jan 30 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

average
Feb 22026
Jan 30

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 Chowchilla, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93610 is Grangeville — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Grangeville fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 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 93610; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chowchilla, CA

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, December

Hot days109days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,171base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation12.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Madera Municipal Airport, CA (12 mi away); precipitation: Chowchilla 0.3 E, CA (3 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.

Dos Palos, CA · 19 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93610

What planting zone is ZIP code 93610?

ZIP code 93610 (Chowchilla, 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 Chowchilla, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93610 is February 12; after March 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Madera Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Chowchilla, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93610 is November 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 293 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93610?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 18 – Jan 1 and set transplants outside around Feb 19 – Mar 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93610 get?

About 12.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chowchilla 0.3 E station).

How hot do summers get in Chowchilla, CA?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in July, with about 109 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93610 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Grangeville at the center of ZIP 93610: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Chowchilla, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93610 came on Jan 30 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chowchilla, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93610 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93610 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93610 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.