When to plant in Bakersfield, CA
USDA Zone 9bBakersfield, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
A generous ~311-day season lets Bakersfield gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. In zone 9b, frost is a minor factor for Bakersfield — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
BAKERSFIELD 5 NW · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Bakersfield’s own odds, recorded at BAKERSFIELD 5 NW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 2 | Mar 2 | Feb 3 | Nov 11 | Nov 26 | Dec 11 |
| 32°F | Feb 27 | Jan 31 | Dec 31 | Nov 23 | Dec 8 | Jan 1 |
| 28°F | Feb 1 | Jan 3 | Dec 14 | Dec 2 | Dec 20 | Jan 20 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Bakersfield, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Bakersfield planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Bakersfield, CA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Bakersfield around January 31 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Bakersfield, CA?
In Bakersfield, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 8 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Bakersfield in?
Bakersfield is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has about 311 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 31) and first fall frost (December 8).
When should I plant tomatoes in Bakersfield?
For Bakersfield, sow tomatoes indoors about December 6–December 20 and move the seedlings out around February 7, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Bakersfield
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Bakersfield’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- East Bakersfield · 7 km
- Potomac Park · 7 km
- Hillcrest · 8 km
- Oildale · 8 km
- East Niles · 11 km
- Lamont · 15 km
- Rosedale · 16 km
- Shafter · 20 km
Frost dates recorded at BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, 7 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Bakersfield, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00040444. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/bakersfield.