Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 95324 (Hilmar-Irwin, 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, Turlock #2, CA (8 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 68% of years (about 7 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)351 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
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
69°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Merced 23 WSW, 11 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 68°, Fri 68°, Sat 69°.
4-inch depth
68°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 68°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Merced 23 WSW, 11 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 68°, Fri 68°, Sat 68°.
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 95324 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 68°F at 4 inches. 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 Feb 21 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 11–Nov 8
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 27–Oct 25
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 27–Oct 25
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 14–28
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 14–28
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 11–25
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 14–28
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 14–28
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 11–Nov 8
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 25–Nov 15
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 25–Nov 15
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 25–Nov 8
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 25–Nov 22
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 25–Nov 8
- Radish: fall sowing Nov 8–22
- Garlic: fall sowing Nov 8–Dec 6
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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 14 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 6 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jan 31 |
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) | Dec 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 20 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 16 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jan 31 | Dec 7 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 6 | Dec 20 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Dec 30 (prior Dec) | 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 95324
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 6) and first fall frost (Dec 20). 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 | Nov 11–25 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 20 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 20 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 11–25 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 11–25 | Dec 16–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 9–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 15 (transplant) Oct 11–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 25–Dec 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 15 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 11–25 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) Dec 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (transplant) Sep 13–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 11–25 | Dec 9–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 9–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (transplant) Sep 13–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 14–28 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 20 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 11–25 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) Dec 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 9–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 22 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 23–Jan 13 (transplant) Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 9–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 16–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 2–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 8–22 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 16–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 11–Dec 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 14–28 | Nov 25–Dec 9 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 25–Dec 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 11–25 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 14–28 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 8–Dec 6 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 25–Dec 9 (transplant) | Nov 8–Dec 6 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 9–16 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 9–16 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 9–16 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 9–16 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 9–16 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 14–28 | Jan 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 16–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 25–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Oct 11–Nov 8 (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: Turlock #2, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00049073), elevation 103 ft, 8.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newman, CA | 10 mi | Feb 26 | Nov 29 |
| Merced 23 WSW, CA | 11 mi | Mar 28 | Nov 14 |
| Modesto City Co AP, CA | 16 mi | Jan 31 | Dec 5 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 84 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 95324
When is the last frost in 95324?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 95324 is January 6. For a more cautious planting date, use January 31, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 95324?
The average first fall freeze is December 20. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 3.
What hardiness zone is 95324?
ZIP 95324 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 95324 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
95380 Turlock 95374 Stevinson 95315 Delhi 95313 Crows Landing 95334 Livingston 95360 Newman 95382 Turlock 95328 Keyes
Other ZIP codes in Merced County
93620 93635 93665 95301 95303 95312 95315 95317 95322 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.