Chowchilla, CA planting zone & frost dates

Chowchilla is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around February 12 and the first fall frost around November 30, for a growing season of about 293 days.

USDA hardiness zone9aavg. extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F

Average last spring frostFebruary 1290% chance of no frost after March 17

Average first fall frostNovember 3010% chance of frost by November 14

Growing season293 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Chowchilla

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 12) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Dec 18 – Jan 1 Transplant outdoors: Feb 19 – Feb 26
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Dec 4 – Dec 18 Transplant outdoors: Feb 26 – Mar 5
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Dec 4 – Dec 18 Transplant outdoors: Feb 26 – Mar 5
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Dec 4 – Dec 18 Transplant outdoors: Jan 15 – Jan 29
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Dec 4 – Dec 18 Transplant outdoors: Jan 15 – Jan 29
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Jan 15 – Jan 29
Peas	Sow outdoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Jan 15 – Jan 29
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Jan 15 – Jan 29
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Jan 15 – Jan 29
Beans	Sow outdoors: Feb 19 – Feb 26
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Feb 19 – Feb 26
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Feb 19 – Feb 26
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Feb 19 – Feb 26
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Feb 19 – Feb 26

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 5 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 30).

Useful for zone 9a gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
Shade cloth — for hot summers

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Jan 6	Feb 12	Mar 17
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Jan 3	Nov 30	Nov 14

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 17, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 14. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 7.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Chowchilla

93610 zone 9a

Nearby cities

Madera zone 9b, last frost Feb 18
Merced zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
Mendota zone 9a, last frost Feb 12
Atwater zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
Winton zone 9b, last frost Mar 3
Kerman zone 9a, last frost Feb 18
Livingston zone 9a, last frost Jan 6
Los Banos zone 9a, last frost Jan 26

All cities in California → · Other zone 9a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Chowchilla, CA?

Chowchilla is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Chowchilla?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Chowchilla is February 12. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 17.

When can I plant tomatoes in Chowchilla?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 19 – Feb 26. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Madera Muni Ap, CA (USW00093242), 20.1 km (12.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 77 m, based on 20 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.