Frost dates for 92561Mountain Center, CA
The average last spring frost in Mountain Center 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 201 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 Mountain Center
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 92561 is matched to the NOAA station Idyllwild Fire Dept, CA, 6.2 km away, at 5,380 ft elevation (839 ft higher 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 Mountain Center
- Idyllwild, CA 92549 · last May 16, first Oct 24
- Anza, CA 92539 · last May 16, first Oct 24
- Palm Springs, CA 92263 · last Jan 1, first Dec 31
- Hemet, CA 92544 · last Jan 10, first Dec 23
- San Jacinto, CA 92583 · last Jan 31, first Dec 10
- Cabazon, CA 92230 · last Jan 31, first Dec 10
- Cathedral City, CA 92235 · last Jan 9, first Jan 9
- Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 · last Jan 9, first Jan 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mountain Center, CA?
- For ZIP code 92561, 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 Mountain Center, 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 92561?
- 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.