When is the last frost in Turlock, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Turlock is around January 6, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Turlock #2, CA station (2.5 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 Turlock?

The average first fall frost in Turlock, CA is around December 20, giving roughly a 351-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Turlock, CA?

Turlock 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 Turlock?

In Turlock, CA the warmest month is July (avg high 93°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 41.9°F). It averages about 12.4″ of precipitation a year.

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Turlock, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9b · ZIP 95380 · elevation 31′ · NOAA & USDA data

Turlock is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (winters can dip to 25 to 30°F), with a growing season of about 351 days between the average last spring frost (January 6) and first fall frost (December 20). The warmest month is July (avg high 93°F); the coldest is December (avg low 41.9°F). It averages 12.4″ 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 6

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 20

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

351 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 93°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Turlock

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Turlock #2, CA (2.5 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	54.9	42.2	48.5	2.6
February	61.1	45.4	53.2	2.3
March	66.9	48.5	57.7	1.9
April	72.1	52	62	0.9
May	80.1	57.3	68.7	0.6
June	87.8	62.4	75.1	0.1
July	93	65.8	79.4	0
August	91.8	64.8	78.3	0
September	87.5	62.1	74.8	0
October	77.2	55.4	66.3	0.6
November	64.2	46.9	55.6	1.1
December	55	41.9	48.4	2.3

What to plant when in Turlock

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: November 25 · Transplant out: January 13
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: November 11 · Transplant out: January 20
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: January 13
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: January 13
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: January 13
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: January 13
Basil	warm	Transplant out: January 13
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 2 · Sow (fall): October 25
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): November 25 · Sow (fall): October 25
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): December 9 · Sow (fall): October 25
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): December 16 · Sow (fall): October 11
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): December 23
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): December 16 · Sow (fall): October 11
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): December 9
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: December 23
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): December 9 · Sow (fall): November 8

Dates are computed from Turlock'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 — Turlock #2, CA, 2.5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Turlock #2, CA, 2.5 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.