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

Planting zone for 93646 — Orange Cove, CA

ZIP code 93646 (Orange Cove, Fresno County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is June 1 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 93646 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 frostJun 1
First frostOct 7
2012 zone9b

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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Orange Cove, 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 Orange Cove, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season132 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 16 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Grant Grove, CA — 19 miles away, elevation 6,582 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 93646

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25
LettuceSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 1) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 93646 came on Jan 30 — 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 Orange Cove, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93646 is San Joaquin — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: San Joaquin loam, 0 to 2 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 93646; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Orange Cove, CA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, February
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights137nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,819base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation19.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 26 °F 46°26° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 27 °F 48°27° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° AprMay: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 52 °F 79°52° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 39 °F 63°39° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 JanFebruary: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 AprMay: 0.84 in precipitation 0.8 MayJune: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 JunJuly: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 OctNovember: 1.43 in precipitation 1.4 NovDecember: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grant Grove, CA (19 mi away); precipitation: Pine Flat Dam, CA (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

936549b
Reedley, CA · 6 mi
936669b
Sultana, CA · 6 mi
936479b
Orosi, CA · 7 mi
936759a
Yokuts, CA · 8 mi
936159b
Cutler, CA · 9 mi
936189b
Dinuba, CA · 9 mi
936709b
Yettem, CA · 10 mi
936489b
Parlier, CA · 13 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93646

What planting zone is ZIP code 93646?

ZIP code 93646 (Orange Cove, 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 Orange Cove, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93646 is June 1; after June 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grant Grove station.

When is the first frost in Orange Cove, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93646 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 132 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93646?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 6 – Apr 20 and set transplants outside around Jun 8 – Jun 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93646 get?

About 19.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pine Flat Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Orange Cove, CA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93646 have?

The USDA soil survey maps San Joaquin at the center of ZIP 93646: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Orange Cove, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93646 came on Jan 30 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 Orange Cove, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93646 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.