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

Planting zone for 93643 — North Fork, CA

ZIP code 93643 (North Fork, Madera County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 93643 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 frostApr 24
First frostNov 4
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 North Fork, 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 North Fork, 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 — 2 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 93643

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 93643 came on Jan 21 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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 North Fork, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93643 is Auberry family — coarse sandy loam, well drained.

TextureCoarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Auberry-Ahwahnee families association, 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 93643; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in North Fork, 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 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 36 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 (2 mi away); precipitation: N Fk Rs, CA (2 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.

936699a
Wishon, CA · 6 mi
936459a
O Neals, CA · 7 mi
936048b
Bass Lake, CA · 10 mi
936149a
Coarsegold, CA · 12 mi
936029a
Auberry, CA · 12 mi
936519a
Prather, CA · 14 mi
936269b
Friant, CA · 15 mi
936449a
Oakhurst, CA · 15 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93643

What planting zone is ZIP code 93643?

ZIP code 93643 (North Fork, 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 North Fork, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93643 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 North Fork, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93643 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93643?

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 93643 get?

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

How hot do summers get in North Fork, 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 93643 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Auberry family at the center of ZIP 93643: coarse sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in North Fork, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93643 came on Jan 21 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in North Fork, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93643 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.