When to plant in East Bakersfield, CA
USDA Zone 9bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in East Bakersfield, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~311-day season lets East Bakersfield gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 9b is warm enough that East Bakersfield can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
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 East 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 East Bakersfield, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 19 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.
East Bakersfield planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in East Bakersfield, CA?
East Bakersfield's average last spring frost falls near January 31 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in East Bakersfield, CA?
Expect East Bakersfield'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 East Bakersfield in?
East 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 East Bakersfield?
There are roughly 311 frost-free days in East Bakersfield (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 East Bakersfield?
In East Bakersfield, 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 East Bakersfield
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to East Bakersfield’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Hillcrest · 2 km
- Potomac Park · 2 km
- East Niles · 5 km
- Bakersfield · 7 km
- Oildale · 7 km
- Lamont · 14 km
- Rosedale · 21 km
- Shafter · 23 km
Frost dates recorded at BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, 8 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 East Bakersfield, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00040444. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/east-bakersfield.