Madera, CA planting zone & frost dates

Madera is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around February 18 and the first fall frost around November 27, for a growing season of about 281 days.

USDA hardiness zone9bavg. extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F

Average last spring frostFebruary 1890% chance of no frost after March 18

Average first fall frostNovember 2710% chance of frost by November 10

Growing season281 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Madera

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 18) 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 24 – Jan 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 11
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 11
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 Transplant outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 Transplant outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4
Peas	Sow outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Jan 21 – Feb 4
Beans	Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Jan 7 – Jan 21 Transplant outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 4

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 27).

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Jan 16	Feb 18	Mar 18
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Dec 18	Nov 27	Nov 10

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 18, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 21.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Madera

93636 zone 9b
93637 zone 9a
93638 zone 9b
93639 zone 9b

Nearby cities

Kerman zone 9a, last frost Feb 18
Chowchilla zone 9a, last frost Feb 12
Fresno zone 9b, last frost Jan 14
Mendota zone 9a, last frost Feb 12
Clovis zone 9b, last frost Jan 14
Merced zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
Sanger zone 9b, last frost Jan 30
Selma zone 9b, last frost Jan 30

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

Questions

What growing zone is Madera, CA?

Madera is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 9a.

When is the last frost in Madera?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Madera is February 18. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 18.

When can I plant tomatoes in Madera?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 25 – Mar 4. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Madera, CA (USC00045233), 2.2 km (1.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 82 m, based on 29 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.