Frost dates for 92060Palomar Mountain, CA
The average last spring frost in Palomar Mountain is April 29 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 23 · May 19 · Jun 7 | Oct 10 · Nov 1 · Nov 21 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 29 · May 29 | Oct 27 · Nov 18 · Dec 8 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Apr 5 · May 5 | Nov 10 · Dec 6 · Dec 31 | 243 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Palomar Mountain
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92060 is matched to the NOAA station Palomar Mtn Obsy, CA, 7.1 km away, at 5,550 ft elevation (232 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palomar Mtn Obsy, CA (used) | 5,550 ft | Apr 29 | Nov 18 |
| Henshaw Dam, CA | 2,700 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| Valley Ctr 1N, CA | 1,290 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 1 |
| San Pasqual Animal Pk, CA | 420 ft | Feb 2 | Dec 7 |
Frost dates near Palomar Mountain
- Pauma Valley, CA 92061 · last Mar 19, first Nov 23
- Valley Center, CA 92082 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Aguanga, CA 92536 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Pala, CA 92059 · last Jan 30, first Jan 7
- Warner Springs, CA 92086 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Santa Ysabel, CA 92070 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Escondido, CA 92027 · last Jan 2, first Dec 30
- Temecula, CA 92592 · last Feb 2, first Jan 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Palomar Mountain, CA?
- For ZIP code 92060, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Palomar Mtn Obsy, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Palomar Mountain, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 92060?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.