Frost dates for 93528Johannesburg, CA
The average last spring frost in Johannesburg is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 251 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 251 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 29 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 16 · Apr 9 · May 4 | Oct 24 · Nov 12 · Nov 30 | 216 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 19 · Apr 13 | Nov 5 · Nov 25 · Dec 13 | 251 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 12 · Feb 20 · Mar 29 | Nov 18 · Dec 8 · Dec 29 | 291 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Johannesburg
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 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93528 is matched to the NOAA station Randsburg, CA, 0.9 km away, at 3,570 ft elevation (39 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randsburg, CA (used) | 3,570 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 25 |
| Inyokern, CA | 2,430 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 20 |
| China Lake Naf, CA | 2,230 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 12 |
| Trona, CA | 1,695 ft | Feb 15 | Nov 28 |
Frost dates near Johannesburg
- Red Mountain, CA 93558 · last Mar 19, first Nov 25
- Randsburg, CA 93554 · last Mar 11, first Nov 12
- Ridgecrest, CA 93555 · last Mar 11, first Nov 12
- California City, CA 93504 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Cantil, CA 93519 · last Mar 11, first Nov 12
- Inyokern, CA 93527 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Boron, CA 93516 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Trona, CA 93562 · last Feb 15, first Nov 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Johannesburg, CA?
- For ZIP code 93528, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Randsburg, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Johannesburg, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93528?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 251 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.