Frost dates for 93518Caliente, CA
The average last spring frost in Caliente is April 22 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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) | Apr 24 · May 12 · Jun 4 | Oct 4 · Oct 28 · Nov 13 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 22 · May 14 | Oct 22 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 28 · Apr 21 | Nov 11 · Dec 1 · Dec 18 | 247 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Caliente
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 | Mar 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93518 is matched to the NOAA station Loraine 5 Nne, CA, 4.7 km away, at 4,235 ft elevation (424 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loraine 5 Nne, CA (used) | 4,235 ft | Apr 22 | Nov 13 |
| Tehachapi 4 Se, CA | 4,220 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 26 |
| S Lake Fs, CA | 2,654 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 3 |
| Mojave, CA | 2,735 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Caliente
- Keene, CA 93531 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Bodfish, CA 93205 · last Apr 5, first Nov 3
- Tehachapi, CA 93561 · last Apr 28, first Oct 26
- Lake Isabella, CA 93240 · last Apr 5, first Nov 3
- Weldon, CA 93283 · last May 11, first Oct 17
- Edison, CA 93220 · last Jan 17, first Dec 15
- Arvin, CA 93203 · last Jan 17, first Dec 15
- Wofford Heights, CA 93285 · last May 11, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Caliente, CA?
- For ZIP code 93518, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Loraine 5 Nne, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Caliente, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93518?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.