Kern River Ph 3, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Kern River Ph 3 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 7
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
218 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 16 Apr 7 Apr 28
First fall frost Nov 26 Nov 11 Oct 30
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 10 · first Nov 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the KERN RIVER PH 3 station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Kern River Ph 3

Computed from Kern River Ph 3's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 10 – Feb 24 Apr 14 – Apr 21
🫑 Peppers Jan 27 – Feb 10 Apr 21 – Apr 28
🥬 Lettuce Feb 24 – Mar 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24 Mar 10 – Apr 7
🫛 Peas Feb 24 – Mar 10
🥕 Carrots Mar 17 – Apr 7
🥦 Broccoli Feb 17 – Mar 3 Mar 17 – Mar 31
🥬 Kale Feb 24 – Mar 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24 Mar 10 – Mar 24
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 10 – Mar 17 Apr 14 – Apr 21 Apr 14 – Apr 21
🥒 Zucchini Mar 10 – Mar 17 Apr 14 – Apr 21 Apr 14 – Apr 21
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 14 – Apr 21
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 14 – Apr 21
🌿 Basil Feb 24 – Mar 10 Apr 14 – Apr 21 Apr 21 – Apr 28
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 30 – Oct 28

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Kern River Ph 3's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Kern River Ph 3

With roughly 218 frost-free days, Kern River Ph 3 gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 11 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Kern River Ph 3, CA?

The average last spring frost in Kern River Ph 3 is around Apr 7, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Kern River Ph 3, CA?

The average first fall frost in Kern River Ph 3 arrives around Nov 11. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Kern River Ph 3?

About 218 frost-free days on average, from Apr 7 to Nov 11. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Kern River Ph 3 in?

USDA zone 9b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.