Frost dates for 92061Pauma Valley, CA
The average last spring frost in Pauma Valley is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 248 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 248 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 6 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 27 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) | Mar 28 · Apr 12 · May 1 | Oct 22 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 206 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 19 · Apr 10 | Nov 6 · Nov 23 · Dec 10 | 248 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 30 · Feb 7 · Mar 10 | Nov 21 · Dec 10 · Jan 12 | 309 days | 96% |
Planting calendar for Pauma Valley
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 | Feb 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92061 is matched to the NOAA station Ramona Ap, CA, 30.2 km away, at 1,393 ft elevation (454 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramona Ap, CA (used) | 1,393 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 23 |
| Valley Ctr 1N, CA | 1,290 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 1 |
| Palomar Mtn Obsy, CA | 5,550 ft | Apr 29 | Nov 18 |
| Henshaw Dam, CA | 2,700 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Pauma Valley
- Palomar Mountain, CA 92060 · last Apr 29, first Nov 18
- Valley Center, CA 92082 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Pala, CA 92059 · last Jan 30, first Jan 7
- Escondido, CA 92027 · last Jan 2, first Dec 30
- Bonsall, CA 92003 · last Jan 30, first Jan 7
- Aguanga, CA 92536 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Temecula, CA 92592 · last Feb 2, first Jan 30
- Fallbrook, CA 92028 · last Jan 30, first Jan 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pauma Valley, CA?
- For ZIP code 92061, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ramona Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Pauma Valley, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 92061?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 248 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.