When to plant in Delano, CA
USDA Zone 9bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Delano, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~311-day season lets Delano gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 9b is warm enough that Delano can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
DELANO · 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 Delano’s own odds, recorded at DELANO.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 4 | Mar 5 | Feb 6 | Nov 10 | Nov 24 | Dec 8 |
| 32°F | Mar 5 | Jan 31 | Dec 30 | Nov 23 | Dec 8 | Dec 30 |
| 28°F | Jan 30 | Dec 31 | Dec 13 | Dec 3 | Dec 19 | Jan 9 |
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 Delano, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 33 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.
Delano planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Delano, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Delano is around January 31 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Delano, CA?
Expect Delano's first fall frost near December 8 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Delano in?
Delano is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Delano?
There are roughly 311 frost-free days in Delano (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around January 31 to the first fall frost near December 8.
When should I plant tomatoes in Delano?
In Delano, start tomato seeds indoors around December 6–December 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around February 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Delano
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Delano’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at DELANO, 0 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 Delano, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00042346. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/delano.