Frost dates for 93522Darwin, CA
The average last spring frost in Darwin is April 17 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 14 · May 2 · May 24 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 17 · May 8 | Oct 15 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 31 · Apr 19 | Oct 25 · Nov 12 · Nov 25 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Darwin
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93522 is matched to the NOAA station Haiwee, CA, 36.4 km away, at 3,825 ft elevation (1,867 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haiwee, CA (used) | 3,825 ft | Apr 17 | Nov 1 |
| Stovepipe Wells 1 Sw, CA | 84 ft | Jan 4 | Dec 22 |
| Trona, CA | 1,695 ft | Feb 15 | Nov 28 |
| Death Valley Np, CA | -194 ft | Jan 1 | Dec 19 |
Frost dates near Darwin
- Keeler, CA 93530 · last Apr 17, first Nov 1
- Olancha, CA 93549 · last Apr 17, first Nov 1
- Little Lake, CA 93542 · last Apr 17, first Nov 1
- Lone Pine, CA 93545 · last Mar 31, first Nov 9
- Trona, CA 93592 · last Feb 15, first Nov 28
- Death Valley, CA 92328 · last Jan 1, first Dec 19
- Ridgecrest, CA 93555 · last Mar 11, first Nov 12
- Inyokern, CA 93527 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Darwin, CA?
- For ZIP code 93522, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Haiwee, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Darwin, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93522?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.