Frost dates for 92386Sugarloaf, CA
The average last spring frost in Sugarloaf is May 27 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 131 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 131 days
Safer after Jun 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 209 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) | May 27 · Jun 9 · Jun 29 | Aug 31 · Sep 20 · Oct 4 | 101 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 27 · Jun 9 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 20 | 131 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 4 · May 27 | Oct 4 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sugarloaf
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 | Apr 26 – Jul 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jul 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92386 is matched to the NOAA station Big Bear Lake, CA, 8.2 km away, at 6,753 ft elevation (399 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Lake, CA (used) | 6,753 ft | May 27 | Oct 4 |
| Morongo Valley N, CA | 3,145 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 15 |
| Johnson Valley, CA | 3,167 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 29 |
| Lake Arrowhead, CA | 5,205 ft | May 5 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Sugarloaf
- Big Bear City, CA 92314 · last May 27, first Oct 4
- Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 · last May 27, first Oct 4
- Fawnskin, CA 92333 · last May 27, first Oct 4
- Angelus Oaks, CA 92305 · last May 27, first Oct 4
- Forest Falls, CA 92339 · last May 16, first Oct 24
- Green Valley Lake, CA 92341 · last May 27, first Oct 4
- Blue Jay, CA 92317 · last May 27, first Oct 4
- Lucerne Valley, CA 92356 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sugarloaf, CA?
- For ZIP code 92386, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Big Bear Lake, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 9.
- When is the first frost in Sugarloaf, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 92386?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 131 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.