Frost dates for 92256Morongo Valley, CA
The average last spring frost in Morongo Valley is February 25 and the average first fall frost is December 15, giving a typical growing season of about 297 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 25
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 15
- Growing season
- 297 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 49 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) | Feb 20 · Mar 31 · Apr 29 | Nov 7 · Dec 1 · Dec 16 | 244 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 7 · Feb 25 · Apr 3 | Nov 23 · Dec 15 · Jan 16 | 297 days | 98% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 20 · Jan 25 · Feb 28 | Dec 8 · Jan 6 · Feb 14 | 352 days | 64% |
Planting calendar for Morongo 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 | Jan 25 – Apr 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Sep 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Sep 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 14 – Jan 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Sep 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Oct 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Apr 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Oct 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Nov 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Dec 5 – Jan 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92256 is matched to the NOAA station Morongo Valley N, CA, 2.9 km away, at 3,145 ft elevation (484 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morongo Valley N, CA (used) | 3,145 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 15 |
| Yucca Valley, CA | 3,249 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 28 |
| Yucca Mesa, CA | 3,445 ft | Feb 16 | Dec 10 |
| Palm Springs, CA | 425 ft | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
Frost dates near Morongo Valley
- Whitewater, CA 92282 · last Jan 10, first Dec 23
- Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 · last Jan 1, first Dec 31
- Pioneertown, CA 92268 · last Feb 16, first Dec 10
- North Palm Springs, CA 92258 · last Jan 1, first Dec 31
- Yucca Valley, CA 92284 · last Feb 16, first Dec 10
- Palm Springs, CA 92262 · last Jan 1, first Dec 31
- Cabazon, CA 92230 · last Jan 31, first Dec 10
- Joshua Tree, CA 92252 · last Feb 28, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Morongo Valley, CA?
- For ZIP code 92256, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Morongo Valley N, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Morongo Valley, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 92256?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 297 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.