Frost dates for 93526Independence, CA
The average last spring frost in Independence is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 224 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 224 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 24 · Apr 16 · May 9 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 31 · Apr 23 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 22 | 224 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 11 · Mar 6 · Apr 7 | Nov 6 · Nov 21 · Dec 6 | 257 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Independence
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93526 is matched to the NOAA station Independence, CA, 4.6 km away, at 3,950 ft elevation (108 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, CA (used) | 3,950 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 9 |
| Lodgepole, CA | 6,735 ft | Jun 8 | Sep 20 |
| Bishop Ap, CA | 4,102 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 15 |
| Ash Mtn, CA | 1,708 ft | Mar 12 | Dec 9 |
Frost dates near Independence
- Lone Pine, CA 93545 · last Mar 31, first Nov 9
- Big Pine, CA 93513 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Keeler, CA 93530 · last Apr 17, first Nov 1
- Sequoia National Park, CA 93262 · last Jun 8, first Sep 20
- Bishop, CA 93515 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Hume, CA 93628 · last Jun 1, first Oct 7
- Kings Canyon National Pk, CA 93633 · last Jun 1, first Oct 7
- Olancha, CA 93549 · last Apr 17, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Independence, CA?
- For ZIP code 93526, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Independence, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Independence, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93526?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 224 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.