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

Planting zone for 93706 — Fresno, CA

ZIP code 93706 (Fresno, Fresno County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 30 and the first fall frost December 11.

Where ZIP 93706 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 frostJan 30
First frostDec 11
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 Fresno, 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 Fresno, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJanuary 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 11median — 10% chance by Nov 25
Growing season319 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 4 and returns around December 24.

From the NOAA station Fresno 5 Ne, CA — 14 miles away, elevation 338 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 93706

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 19 – Jan 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 21 – Dec 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 21 – Dec 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 13 – Feb 27
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 16 – Oct 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 27 – Jan 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 30) and first fall frost (Dec 11) 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 93706 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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 Fresno, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93706 is El Peco — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.7alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: El Peco fine sandy loam.

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 93706; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fresno, CA

Summer high102 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, January
Hot days124days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,297base 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
Precipitation10.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° FebMarch: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 49 °F 79°49° AprMay: average high 88 °F, low 56 °F 88°56° MayJune: average high 96 °F, low 62 °F 96°62° JunJuly: average high 102 °F, low 68 °F 102°68° JulAugust: average high 101 °F, low 67 °F 101°67° AugSeptember: average high 96 °F, low 62 °F 96°62° SepOctober: average high 85 °F, low 53 °F 85°53° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 44 °F 71°44° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 JanFebruary: 1.93 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 MarApril: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 AprMay: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 OctNovember: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 1.64 in precipitation 1.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fresno 5 Ne, CA (14 mi away); precipitation: Helm 2.7 Nne, CA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

936529a
Raisin City, CA · 4 mi
936079a
Burrel, CA · 5 mi
937289b
Fresno, CA · 9 mi
937219b
Fresno, CA · 9 mi
937239b
Fresno, CA · 9 mi
936099a
Caruthers, CA · 9 mi
937019b
Fresno, CA · 10 mi
937229b
Fresno, CA · 10 mi

All 57 ZIP codes in Fresno → · California planting zones →

Questions about 93706

What planting zone is ZIP code 93706?

ZIP code 93706 (Fresno, 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 Fresno, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93706 is January 30; after March 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fresno 5 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Fresno, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93706 is December 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 319 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93706?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 5 – Dec 19 and set transplants outside around Feb 6 – Feb 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93706 get?

About 10.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Helm 2.7 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Fresno, CA?

The average high peaks at 102 °F in July, with about 124 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93706 have?

The USDA soil survey maps El Peco at the center of ZIP 93706: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 8.7 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Fresno, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93706 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fresno, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93706 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.