Frost Dates for Hanford, CA
In Hanford, CA, the average last spring frost is around Feb 7 and the average first fall frost around Dec 1, for a growing season of about 296 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Mar 4, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Hanford 1 S, CA weather station, 1 mile away, elevation 237 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Mar 4 | Nov 16 |
| 20% | Feb 25 | Nov 21 |
| 30% | Feb 17 | Nov 25 |
| 40% | Feb 12 | Nov 28 |
| 50% | Feb 7 | Dec 1 |
| 60% | Feb 2 | Dec 4 |
| 70% | Jan 29 | Dec 8 |
| 80% | Jan 21 | Dec 12 |
| 90% | Jan 9 | Dec 22 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 3 | Nov 17 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 7 | Dec 1 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 12 | Dec 14 |
Planting calendar for Hanford
Transplant Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Feb 14 – Feb 28
Sow or transplant Feb 14 – Feb 28
Sow or transplant Feb 14 – Feb 28
Sow or transplant Feb 21 – Mar 7
Sow or transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Fall sowing Oct 6 – Nov 3
Fall sowing Oct 6 – Oct 27
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 6
Sow or transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 20
Transplant Jan 24 – Feb 7
Fall sowing Sep 8 – Sep 22
Transplant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Fall sowing Sep 8 – Sep 22
Fall sowing Sep 8 – Sep 22
Fall sowing Oct 20 – Nov 10
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 6
Plant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Based on the average last frost (Feb 7) and first frost (Dec 1). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.