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

Planting zone for 93651 — Prather, CA

ZIP code 93651 (Prather, Fresno County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost December 3.

Where ZIP 93651 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 frostMar 25

First frostDec 3

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 Prather, 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 Prather, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 3median — 10% chance by Nov 14

Growing season253 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 29 and returns around December 17.

From the NOAA station Auberry 2 Nw, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 2,090 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 93651

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 8 – Oct 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 19 – Dec 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Dec 3) 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 93651 came on Jan 29 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

average
Feb 22026
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 Prather, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93651 is Auberry — coarse sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH6.1slightly 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 very rocky coarse sandy loam, 3 to 30 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 93651; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Prather, CA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days90days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights23nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,836base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 42 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

Precipitation25.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Auberry 2 Nw, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Auberry 2 Nw, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Tollhouse, CA · 11 mi

North Fork, CA · 14 mi

936499b

Piedra, CA · 14 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93651

What planting zone is ZIP code 93651?

ZIP code 93651 (Prather, 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 Prather, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93651 is March 25; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Auberry 2 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Prather, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93651 is December 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 253 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93651?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93651 get?

About 25.1 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Auberry 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Prather, CA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 90 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93651 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Auberry at the center of ZIP 93651: coarse sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Prather, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93651 came on Jan 29 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Prather, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93651 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93651 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93651 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.