When is the last frost in Madera, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Madera is around February 12, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Madera Muni Ap, 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 Madera?

The average first fall frost in Madera, CA is around November 30, giving roughly a 293-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Madera, CA?

Madera 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 Madera?

In Madera, CA the warmest month is July (avg high 95.9°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 36.1°F). It averages about 11.3″ of precipitation a year.

Home › California › Madera

Madera, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9b · ZIP 93638 · elevation 82′ · NOAA & USDA data

Madera is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (winters can dip to 25 to 30°F), with a growing season of about 293 days between the average last spring frost (February 12) and first fall frost (November 30). The warmest month is July (avg high 95.9°F); the coldest is December (avg low 36.1°F). It averages 11.3″ 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

February 12

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 30

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

293 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 95.9°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Madera

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Madera, CA (6.2 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	54.5	37.6	46.1	2.1
February	60.8	40	50.4	2.1
March	67.2	43.6	55.4	1.8
April	73	47.1	60.1	1
May	81.5	53.3	67.4	0.5
June	90.2	59.3	74.8	0.2
July	95.9	64.1	80	0
August	94.6	62.8	78.7	0
September	89.2	58.2	73.7	0.1
October	78	49.3	63.6	0.6
November	64.4	40.9	52.7	1
December	54.5	36.1	45.3	1.9

What to plant when in Madera

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 1 · Transplant out: February 19
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 18 · Transplant out: February 26
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 19
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 19
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 19
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 19
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 19
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): January 8 · Sow (fall): October 5
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): January 1 · Sow (fall): October 5
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): January 15 · Sow (fall): October 5
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 22 · Sow (fall): September 21
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 29
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 22 · Sow (fall): September 21
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): January 15
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 29
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): January 15 · Sow (fall): October 19

Dates are computed from Madera'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 — Madera Muni Ap, CA, 5.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Madera, CA, 6.2 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.