Last frost date in Porterville, CA
The average last frost in Porterville is January 20. By February 22 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 13, which leaves 330 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 26 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Feb 22
- Average first frost
- Dec 13
- Frost-free season
- 330 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Dec 31
No frost in the next 6 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2253°
- FriOct 2352°
- SatOct 2452°
- SunOct 2553°
- MonOct 2652°
- TueOct 2752°
Planting calendar for Porterville
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across California.
TomatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
PumpkinsFeb 15–Mar 1
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 15–Mar 1
PeppersFeb 15–Mar 1
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 15–Mar 1
EggplantFeb 15–Mar 1
PotatoesDec 23–Jan 6
OnionsDec 9–Dec 30
CarrotsDec 30–Feb 3
LettuceJan 6–Jan 27
BroccoliDec 23–Jan 6
BeetsDec 23–Feb 3
PeasDec 9–Dec 23
CabbageDec 23–Jan 6
RadishesDec 16–Jan 27
Brussels sproutsJan 6–Jan 20
SpinachDec 9–Dec 30
CilantroJan 6–Jan 27
KaleDec 23–Jan 6
Collard greensDec 23–Jan 6
TurnipsDec 23–Jan 6
DillJan 20–Feb 3
CeleryJan 27–Feb 3
CauliflowerJan 6–Jan 20
LeeksJan 6–Jan 20
Swiss chardJan 6–Feb 3
ParsleyJan 6–Jan 27
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
StrawberriesDec 23–Jan 6
AsparagusDec 23–Jan 6Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Dec 25 | Jan 20 | Feb 22 | Nov 26 | Dec 13 | Jan 6 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Dec 13 | Dec 31 | Jan 22 | Dec 4 | Dec 23 | Jan 13 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Porterville (USC00047077) sits 0.8 miles from the center of Porterville at 393 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Porterville, CA?
The average last frost date in Porterville is January 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 22.
When is the first frost in Porterville?
The first frost in fall usually comes around December 13. One year in ten it arrives before November 26.
How long is the growing season in Porterville?
About 330 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Porterville?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.