Frost dates for 92252Joshua Tree, CA
The average last spring frost in Joshua Tree is February 28 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 273 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 273 days
Safer after Mar 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 12 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 35 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 1 · Mar 30 · Apr 18 | Oct 28 · Nov 16 · Dec 2 | 231 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 21 · Feb 28 · Mar 28 | Nov 12 · Dec 1 · Dec 17 | 273 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 22 · Jan 24 · Feb 28 | Nov 28 · Dec 15 · Jan 7 | 327 days | 95% |
Planting calendar for Joshua Tree
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 | Jan 28 – Apr 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92252 is matched to the NOAA station Joshua Tree, CA, 2.7 km away, at 2,563 ft elevation (173 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Tree, CA (used) | 2,563 ft | Feb 28 | Dec 1 |
| Yucca Valley, CA | 3,249 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 28 |
| Yucca Mesa, CA | 3,445 ft | Feb 16 | Dec 10 |
| Twentynine Palms, CA | 1,975 ft | Jan 24 | Dec 10 |
Frost dates near Joshua Tree
- Yucca Valley, CA 92286 · last Mar 14, first Nov 28
- Pioneertown, CA 92268 · last Feb 16, first Dec 10
- Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 · last Jan 24, first Dec 10
- Morongo Valley, CA 92256 · last Feb 25, first Dec 15
- Landers, CA 92285 · last Feb 16, first Dec 10
- Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 · last Jan 1, first Dec 31
- North Palm Springs, CA 92258 · last Jan 1, first Dec 31
- Whitewater, CA 92282 · last Jan 10, first Dec 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Joshua Tree, CA?
- For ZIP code 92252, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Joshua Tree, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
- When is the first frost in Joshua Tree, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 92252?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 273 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.