Madera, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 18
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
282 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 16 Feb 18 Mar 18
First fall frost Dec 18 Nov 27 Nov 10
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 21 · first Dec 10

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MADERA 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 Madera

Computed from Madera'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 Dec 24 – Jan 7 Feb 25 – Mar 4
🫑 Peppers Dec 10 – Dec 24 Mar 4 – Mar 11
🥬 Lettuce Jan 7 – Jan 21 Jan 21 – Feb 4 Jan 21 – Feb 18
🫛 Peas Jan 7 – Jan 21
🥕 Carrots Jan 28 – Feb 18
🥦 Broccoli Dec 31 – Jan 14 Jan 28 – Feb 11
🥬 Kale Jan 7 – Jan 21 Jan 21 – Feb 4 Jan 21 – Feb 4
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 21 – Jan 28 Feb 25 – Mar 4 Feb 25 – Mar 4
🥒 Zucchini Jan 21 – Jan 28 Feb 25 – Mar 4 Feb 25 – Mar 4
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 25 – Mar 4
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 25 – Mar 4
🌿 Basil Jan 7 – Jan 21 Feb 25 – Mar 4 Mar 4 – Mar 11
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 16 – Nov 13

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 Madera's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Madera

With roughly 282 frost-free days, Madera 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 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Madera, CA?

The average last spring frost in Madera is around Feb 18, 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 Madera, CA?

The average first fall frost in Madera arrives around Nov 27. 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 Madera?

About 282 frost-free days on average, from Feb 18 to Nov 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Madera 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.