Fresno 5 NE, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Fresno 5 NE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jan 30
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
315 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 1 Jan 30 Mar 4
First fall frost Jan 8 Dec 11 Nov 25
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 4 · first Dec 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FRESNO 5 NE 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 Fresno 5 NE

Computed from Fresno 5 NE'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 5 – Dec 19 Feb 6 – Feb 13
🫑 Peppers Nov 21 – Dec 5 Feb 13 – Feb 20
🥬 Lettuce Dec 19 – Jan 2 Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 2 – Jan 30
🫛 Peas Dec 19 – Jan 2
🥕 Carrots Jan 9 – Jan 30
🥦 Broccoli Dec 12 – Dec 26 Jan 9 – Jan 23
🥬 Kale Dec 19 – Jan 2 Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 2 – Jan 16
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 2 – Jan 9 Feb 6 – Feb 13 Feb 6 – Feb 13
🥒 Zucchini Jan 2 – Jan 9 Feb 6 – Feb 13 Feb 6 – Feb 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 6 – Feb 13
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 6 – Feb 13
🌿 Basil Dec 19 – Jan 2 Feb 6 – Feb 13 Feb 13 – Feb 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 30 – Nov 27

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 Fresno 5 NE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Fresno 5 NE

With roughly 315 frost-free days, Fresno 5 NE 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 Dec 11 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Fresno 5 NE, CA?

The average last spring frost in Fresno 5 NE is around Jan 30, 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 Fresno 5 NE, CA?

The average first fall frost in Fresno 5 NE arrives around Dec 11. 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 Fresno 5 NE?

About 315 frost-free days on average, from Jan 30 to Dec 11. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Fresno 5 NE in?

USDA zone 9b 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.