When to plant in Winton, CA
USDA Zone 9bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Winton, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~266-day season lets Winton gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 9b is warm enough that Winton can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
MERCED · 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 Winton’s own odds, recorded at MERCED.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 1 | Apr 7 | Mar 6 | Oct 21 | Nov 8 | Nov 24 |
| 32°F | Apr 10 | Mar 3 | Feb 2 | Nov 5 | Nov 24 | Dec 14 |
| 28°F | Mar 11 | Feb 2 | Dec 28 | Nov 22 | Dec 11 | Jan 14 |
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 Winton, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 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.
Winton planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Winton, CA?
Winton's average last spring frost falls near March 3 — 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 Winton, CA?
The first fall frost in Winton typically arrives around November 24 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Winton in?
Winton is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Winton?
There are roughly 266 frost-free days in Winton (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 3 to the first fall frost near November 24.
When should I plant tomatoes in Winton?
In Winton, start tomato seeds indoors around January 6–January 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 10 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Winton
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Winton’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at MERCED, 14 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 Winton, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00045532. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/winton.