Local planting guide · California
zip 93613
Clovis is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/14 through 12/14 (~337 days). This zip falls within the California growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/14
- First fall frost
- 12/14
- Growing season
- 337 days
- Compatible crops
- 37
- Growing region
- California
Right now in Clovis
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Clovis
Clovis sits in California's San Joaquin Valley at the northern edge of zone 9b, where winter lows rarely drop below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The location's defining strength is an exceptionally long growing season of 337 days, with the last spring frost arriving mid-January and the first fall frost not until mid-December. This extends the window for both warm-season and cool-season crops compared to most other zone 9b areas. The dominant constraint is summer heat and drought, with extended hot periods from June through September that stress many crops and increase irrigation demand. The semi-arid climate combined with limited water availability in this agricultural region makes irrigation planning critical and restricts which varieties will thrive. Crops well-suited to Clovis include Mediterranean fruit trees like figs, pomegranates, Asian persimmons, and jujubes, all of which tolerate heat and drought once established. Tomatoes and peppers benefit from the long season and warm conditions, though variety selection matters significantly during peak heat.
Regional context · California
What the California brings to Clovis
From cool foggy coast to hot Central Valley to mountain to desert. Mediterranean climate dominates: wet winters, dry summers. The most productive agricultural state in the country, with reach into citrus and olives that exceed the rest of the country.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 9b, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ Heat stress in summer
- ▸ Insufficient chill for most apples
- ▸ Salt spray near coasts
What defeats new gardeners in Clovis
Summer heat in the San Joaquin Valley creates two main obstacles for Clovis gardeners. First, many crops struggle with fruit set during the intense heat from June through September, particularly heat-sensitive varieties of tomatoes, peppers, and some stone fruits. Blossom-end rot becomes common in tomatoes when summer irrigation is inconsistent. Second, water scarcity is a persistent challenge; the region's semi-arid climate and agricultural water restrictions mean supplemental irrigation is essential, yet many home gardeners face municipal or well-water limitations. A secondary issue is spring planting timing around the mid-January frost date, which is later than gardeners in warmer zone 9b areas typically expect, leading to premature planting of tender seedlings.
Crops that grow in Clovis
37 crops from our catalog match zone 9b, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
11 crops
zone 9b Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
zone 9b Asian Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
zones 7a–10a
zone 9b Pomegranate
Punica granatum
zones 7b–10a
zone 9b Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba
zones 6a–9b
zone 9b Lemon
Citrus limon
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Orange
Citrus sinensis
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
zones 9b–11b
zone 9b Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
zones 9a–11b
Berries
2 crops
Vegetables
18 crops
zone 9b Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 9b Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 9b Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Collards
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 4a–9b
zone 9b Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
zones 3b–10a
Herbs
6 crops
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Clovis
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Clovis's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Clovis, CA (zone 9b)
Quiet week in Clovis, CA (zone 9b). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
187 bars · 37 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Multiple species (Aleyrodidae)
Tiny white moth-like flying insects that feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew. Transmit numerous viral diseases including tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Odocoileus species
Whitetail and mule deer browse can devastate orchards and gardens, particularly in winter when food is scarce. Antler rub on young trunks kills saplings outright.
Pseudococcidae spp.
Soft white waxy insects that cluster at leaf joints, fruit stems, and root crowns. Honeydew secretion supports sooty mold; root mealybugs cause decline that mimics drought.
Coccoidea spp.
Sap-sucking insects that attach to bark, leaves, and fruit, secreting honeydew that fuels sooty mold. Heavy infestations weaken trees and cause leaf yellowing.
Top diseases for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Pseudoperonospora cubensis (cucurbits) and others
Water mold (oomycete, not a true fungus) that thrives in cool damp conditions. Spreads rapidly through cucurbit and brassica plantings on wind-borne spores.
Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, and others
Family of plant viruses producing mottled yellow-and-green leaf patterns. Vectored primarily by aphids; some are seed-transmitted or spread by handling tools and tobacco products.
Pythium and Rhizoctonia species
Soil-borne complex of water molds and fungi that kill seedlings before or shortly after emergence. The single most common cause of seed-starting failures.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Calcium deficiency physiological disorder
Not a true disease but a calcium-uptake disorder caused by inconsistent soil moisture during fruit development. The dominant cause of damaged first-fruit on home tomato plantings.
Capnodium spp.
Black fungal coating that grows on honeydew secreted by aphids, scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Doesn't infect plant tissue directly but blocks photosynthesis and disfigures fruit.
Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV)
Virus vectored by thrips, particularly western flower thrips. Wide host range and growing global distribution. No cure once infected.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 9b.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- Tomato + Basil
The classic Italian pairing. Basil's volatile oils are reported to repel hornworms and whiteflies, and the two crops share the same warm-season schedule and water needs. Plant basil between tomato cages.
- Sweet Pepper + Basil
Same warm-season culture, same watering schedule. Basil reportedly improves pepper flavor and repels aphids and thrips that are pepper's primary pests.
- Hot Pepper + Basil
Compatible heat-loving culture, similar water needs. Basil interplanted between hot pepper plants supports beneficial insects and reduces aphid pressure.
- Lettuce + Tomato
Lettuce planted at tomato's base benefits from afternoon shade as the tomato grows, extending the lettuce harvest into early summer. Different root depths avoid competition.
- Cabbage + Onion
Onion smell confuses cabbage moth. Both prefer similar moisture and fertility. The onion-cabbage interplanting is a Northern European tradition.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Clovis
Start cool-season vegetables (lettuce, brassicas, spinach, peas) in late August or early September for a fall and winter harvest, capitalizing on the December frost date to extend the season well into the new year. With the last spring frost not until mid-January, transplant heat-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers in late January through early February, allowing soil temperatures to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This timing prevents frost damage and promotes strong establishment. Use drip irrigation on a timer to manage water efficiently during summer, and select varieties bred for heat tolerance and water efficiency, such as determinate paste tomatoes and drought-adapted pepper cultivars.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best fruit trees to grow in Clovis?
Fig, pomegranate, Asian persimmon, and jujube are excellent choices. These Mediterranean and Asian species thrive in Clovis's long growing season and tolerate hot, dry summers once established. Apple and pear varieties suited to zone 9b can also succeed with careful variety selection and adequate irrigation.
- When should I plant tomatoes and peppers in Clovis?
Transplant tomatoes and peppers in late January through early February, after the mid-January frost date has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This timing avoids frost damage and ensures strong root establishment.
- What is the biggest weather risk for gardening in Clovis?
Summer heat stress is the primary challenge. Intense heat from June through September reduces fruit set on many crops and increases irrigation demand. Selecting heat-tolerant varieties and managing water availability are critical for success.
- How long is the growing season in Clovis?
The growing season spans 337 days, from mid-January to mid-December. This extended period allows multiple succession plantings of cool-season crops and gives warm-season crops ample time to mature.
- Can I grow vegetables year-round in Clovis?
Nearly. Cool-season vegetables like lettuce, brassicas, peas, and spinach can be grown from late August through April or May, with minimal interruption from mild winter frosts. Warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash thrive from late January through October. With succession planting and variety selection, fresh vegetables are available most months of the year.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00093193. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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