When to plant in Fresno, CA
USDA Zone 9bFresno, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
With about 334 frost-free days, Fresno supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 9b is warm enough that Fresno can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
The average last spring frost in Fresno is now 19 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP · 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 Fresno’s own odds, recorded at FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 13 | Feb 15 | Jan 19 | Nov 16 | Dec 1 | Dec 24 |
| 32°F | Feb 11 | Jan 14 | Dec 22 | Nov 29 | Dec 14 | Jan 12 |
| 28°F | Jan 24 | Jan 1 | Dec 13 | Dec 7 | Dec 24 | Jan 15 |
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 Fresno, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 25 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.
Fresno planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Fresno, CA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Fresno around January 14 (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 Fresno, CA?
The first fall frost in Fresno typically arrives around December 14 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Fresno in?
Fresno is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Fresno?
There are roughly 334 frost-free days in Fresno (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around January 14 to the first fall frost near December 14.
When should I plant tomatoes in Fresno?
In Fresno, start tomato seeds indoors around November 19–December 3, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 21 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Fresno
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Fresno’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, 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 Fresno, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093193. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/fresno.