Frost dates for 92549Idyllwild, CA
The average last spring frost in Idyllwild is May 16 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after Jun 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 14 · Jun 1 · Jun 19 | Sep 17 · Oct 6 · Oct 26 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 16 · Jun 5 | Oct 1 · Oct 24 · Nov 11 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 24 · May 19 | Oct 17 · Nov 10 · Dec 3 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Idyllwild
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92549 is matched to the NOAA station Idyllwild Fire Dept, CA, 3 km away, at 5,380 ft elevation (230 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idyllwild Fire Dept, CA (used) | 5,380 ft | May 16 | Oct 24 |
| Hemet, CA | 1,811 ft | Jan 10 | Dec 23 |
| Palm Springs, CA | 425 ft | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
| Palm Springs Rgnl Ap, CA | 421 ft | Jan 9 | Jan 9 |
Frost dates near Idyllwild
- Mountain Center, CA 92561 · last May 16, first Oct 24
- Palm Springs, CA 92263 · last Jan 1, first Dec 31
- Anza, CA 92539 · last May 16, first Oct 24
- Hemet, CA 92544 · last Jan 10, first Dec 23
- Cabazon, CA 92230 · last Jan 31, first Dec 10
- San Jacinto, CA 92583 · last Jan 31, first Dec 10
- Cathedral City, CA 92235 · last Jan 9, first Jan 9
- North Palm Springs, CA 92258 · last Jan 1, first Dec 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Idyllwild, CA?
- For ZIP code 92549, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Idyllwild Fire Dept, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 5.
- When is the first frost in Idyllwild, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 92549?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.