Frost dates for 92338Ludlow, CA
The average last spring frost in Ludlow is February 19 and the average first fall frost is November 26, giving a typical growing season of about 279 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 26
- Growing season
- 279 days
Safer after Mar 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 25 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 18 · Mar 11 · Apr 6 | Oct 31 · Nov 16 · Nov 29 | 247 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 23 · Feb 19 · Mar 11 | Nov 10 · Nov 26 · Dec 11 | 279 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 29 · Jan 28 · Feb 25 | Nov 22 · Dec 9 · Jan 1 | 317 days | 98% |
Planting calendar for Ludlow
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 19 – Mar 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Apr 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 8 – Jan 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Feb 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Apr 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Feb 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 16 – Dec 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92338 is matched to the NOAA station Barstow Daggett Ap, CA, 59 km away, at 1,917 ft elevation (139 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barstow Daggett Ap, CA (used) | 1,917 ft | Feb 19 | Nov 26 |
| Johnson Valley, CA | 3,167 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 29 |
| Yucca Mesa, CA | 3,445 ft | Feb 16 | Dec 10 |
| Mitchell Caverns, CA | 4,350 ft | Mar 6 | Dec 8 |
Frost dates near Ludlow
- Amboy, CA 92304 · last Jan 3, first Dec 31
- Twentynine Palms, CA 92278 · last Jan 24, first Dec 10
- Essex, CA 92332 · last Jan 3, first Dec 31
- Newberry Springs, CA 92365 · last Feb 19, first Nov 26
- Landers, CA 92285 · last Feb 16, first Dec 10
- Yucca Valley, CA 92286 · last Mar 14, first Nov 28
- Yermo, CA 92398 · last Feb 19, first Nov 26
- Joshua Tree, CA 92252 · last Feb 28, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ludlow, CA?
- For ZIP code 92338, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Barstow Daggett Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 11.
- When is the first frost in Ludlow, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 92338?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 279 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.