When to plant in Exeter, CA
USDA Zone 9bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Exeter, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~283-day season lets Exeter gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. In zone 9b, frost is a minor factor for Exeter — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
LINDSAY · 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 Exeter’s own odds, recorded at LINDSAY.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 26 | Mar 31 | Feb 24 | Oct 27 | Nov 15 | Nov 30 |
| 32°F | Mar 26 | Feb 20 | Jan 20 | Nov 15 | Nov 30 | Dec 21 |
| 28°F | Feb 18 | Jan 20 | Dec 25 | Nov 28 | Dec 14 | Jan 17 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Exeter, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 14 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.
Exeter planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Exeter, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Exeter is around February 20 (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 Exeter, CA?
Expect Exeter's first fall frost near November 30 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Exeter in?
Exeter is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Exeter?
Exeter has about 283 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (February 20) and first fall frost (November 30).
When should I plant tomatoes in Exeter?
For Exeter, sow tomatoes indoors about December 26–January 9 and move the seedlings out around February 27, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Exeter
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Exeter’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Farmersville · 6 km
- Lindsay · 11 km
- Visalia · 17 km
- Tulare · 20 km
- Porterville · 28 km
- Dinuba · 36 km
- Reedley · 43 km
- Corcoran · 44 km
Frost dates recorded at LINDSAY, 13 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 Exeter, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00044957. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/exeter.