Frost dates for 93504California City, CA
The average last spring frost in California City is March 15 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 21 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) | Mar 12 · Apr 11 · May 6 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 15 · Apr 17 | Oct 31 · Nov 17 · Dec 1 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 25 · Feb 22 · Mar 22 | Nov 12 · Nov 30 · Dec 16 | 279 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for California City
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 | Feb 12 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93504 is matched to the NOAA station Mojave, CA, 29.5 km away, at 2,735 ft elevation (255 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mojave, CA (used) | 2,735 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 17 |
| Randsburg, CA | 3,570 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 25 |
| Tehachapi 4 Se, CA | 4,220 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 26 |
| Inyokern, CA | 2,430 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near California City
- California City, CA 93505 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Cantil, CA 93519 · last Mar 11, first Nov 12
- Randsburg, CA 93554 · last Mar 11, first Nov 12
- Edwards, CA 93524 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Boron, CA 93516 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Red Mountain, CA 93558 · last Mar 19, first Nov 25
- Johannesburg, CA 93528 · last Mar 19, first Nov 25
- Mojave, CA 93502 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in California City, CA?
- For ZIP code 93504, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mojave, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in California City, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93504?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 241 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.