When is the last frost in Bakersfield, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Bakersfield is around January 31, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Bakersfield 5 Nw, CA station (5.7 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Bakersfield?

The average first fall frost in Bakersfield, CA is around December 8, giving roughly a 312-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Bakersfield, CA?

Bakersfield is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 25 to 30°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Bakersfield?

In Bakersfield, CA the warmest month is July (avg high 98.3°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 39.6°F). It averages about 6.4″ of precipitation a year.

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Bakersfield, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9b · ZIP 93304 · elevation 149′ · NOAA & USDA data

Bakersfield is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (winters can dip to 25 to 30°F), with a growing season of about 312 days between the average last spring frost (January 31) and first fall frost (December 8). The warmest month is July (avg high 98.3°F); the coldest is December (avg low 39.6°F). It averages 6.4″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 25 to 30°F

Last spring frost

January 31

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 8

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

312 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 98.3°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Bakersfield

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Bakersfield Ap, CA (6.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	58.5	40.5	49.5	1.2	0.1
February	64.3	43.2	53.8	1.2	0
March	70.2	47	58.6	1.2	0
April	75.9	50.7	63.3	0.6	0
May	84.1	58	71.1	0.3	0
June	92.3	65.1	78.7	0.1	0
July	98.3	71.3	84.8	0	0
August	96.9	70	83.4	0	0
September	91.4	65	78.2	0.1	0
October	80.2	55.2	67.7	0.3	0
November	67.1	45.4	56.3	0.5	0
December	58.8	39.6	49.2	1.1	0

What to plant when in Bakersfield

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 20 · Transplant out: February 7
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 6 · Transplant out: February 14
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 7
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 7
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 7
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 7
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 7
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 27 · Sow (fall): October 13
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): December 20 · Sow (fall): October 13
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): January 3 · Sow (fall): October 13
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 10 · Sow (fall): September 29
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 17
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 10 · Sow (fall): September 29
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): January 3
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 17
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): January 3 · Sow (fall): October 27

Dates are computed from Bakersfield's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

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Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Bakersfield 5 Nw, CA, 5.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Bakersfield Ap, CA, 6.8 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.