Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 93665 (South Dos Palos, CA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Los Banos, CA (14 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJan 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)322 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Merced 23 WSW (23 mi), Monocline Ridge (29 mi), Vallecitos (35 mi).
4-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Merced 23 WSW (23 mi), Monocline Ridge (29 mi), Vallecitos (35 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 93665 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 72°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: California coastal and valleys. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Mar 13 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 1–29
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 15–Nov 5
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 5
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 12
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 1–29
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 12
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 26
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 26
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 3–17
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 10: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Dec 29 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 26 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 20 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 26 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 10 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 4 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 24 | Nov 27 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 26 | Dec 10 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 6 | Dec 24 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 93665
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 26) and first fall frost (Dec 10). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 1–15 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 1–15 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 1–15 | Jan 5–26 (transplant) Dec 29–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 5 (transplant) Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 1–15 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 29–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (transplant) Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 1–15 | Dec 29–Jan 26 (transplant) Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (transplant) Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 3–17 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 1–15 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 29–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 29–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 5–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 22–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 29–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 29–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 3–17 | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 3–17 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 29–Nov 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 15–29 (transplant) | Oct 29–Nov 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 16–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 29–Jan 5 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 15–29 | Feb 9–23 (transplant) Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 3–17 | Feb 2–9 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 15–29 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 26–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 26–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Oct 1–29 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Los Banos, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00045118), elevation 120 ft, 13.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Banos Det Resv, CA | 16 mi | Jan 13 | Dec 14 |
| Merced 23 WSW, CA | 23 mi | Mar 28 | Nov 14 |
| San Luis Dam, CA | 23 mi | Jan 27 | Dec 11 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 77 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 93665
When is the last frost in 93665?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 93665 is January 26. For a more cautious planting date, use February 20, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 93665?
The average first fall freeze is December 10. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 26.
What hardiness zone is 93665?
ZIP 93665 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 93665 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
93620 Dos Palos Y 93622 Firebaugh 93635 Los Banos 95317 El Nido 95341 Merced 93610 Chowchilla 93640 Mendota 95301 Atwater
Other ZIP codes in Merced County
93620 93635 95301 95303 95312 95315 95317 95322 95324 95333 95334 95340 95341 95348 95365 95369 95374 95388 All Merced County frost dates · California frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.