Baker, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Baker garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 14
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
286 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 25 Feb 14 Mar 4
First fall frost Dec 9 Nov 27 Nov 12
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 30 · first Dec 8

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BAKER station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Baker

Computed from Baker's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 20 – Jan 3 Feb 21 – Feb 28
🫑 Peppers Dec 6 – Dec 20 Feb 28 – Mar 7
🥬 Lettuce Jan 3 – Jan 17 Jan 17 – Jan 31 Jan 17 – Feb 14
🫛 Peas Jan 3 – Jan 17
🥕 Carrots Jan 24 – Feb 14
🥦 Broccoli Dec 27 – Jan 10 Jan 24 – Feb 7
🥬 Kale Jan 3 – Jan 17 Jan 17 – Jan 31 Jan 17 – Jan 31
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 17 – Jan 24 Feb 21 – Feb 28 Feb 21 – Feb 28
🥒 Zucchini Jan 17 – Jan 24 Feb 21 – Feb 28 Feb 21 – Feb 28
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 21 – Feb 28
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 21 – Feb 28
🌿 Basil Jan 3 – Jan 17 Feb 21 – Feb 28 Feb 28 – Mar 7
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 16 – Nov 13

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Baker's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Baker

With roughly 286 frost-free days, Baker gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Baker, CA?

The average last spring frost in Baker is around Feb 14, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Baker, CA?

The average first fall frost in Baker arrives around Nov 27. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Baker?

About 286 frost-free days on average, from Feb 14 to Nov 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Baker in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.