Frost dates for 93535Lancaster, CA
The average last spring frost in Lancaster is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 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 7 · Apr 27 | Oct 20 · Nov 4 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 18 · Apr 11 | Oct 30 · Nov 15 · Nov 30 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 21 · Feb 19 · Mar 21 | Nov 9 · Nov 27 · Dec 14 | 281 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lancaster
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93535 is matched to the NOAA station Palmdale Ap, CA, 21 km away, at 2,524 ft elevation (70 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmdale Ap, CA (used) | 2,524 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 15 |
| Pearblossom, CA | 3,101 ft | Mar 13 | Dec 1 |
| Palmdale, CA | 2,612 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 19 |
| El Mirage, CA | 2,950 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Palmdale, CA 93591 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
- Lancaster, CA 93539 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Edwards, CA 93523 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Littlerock, CA 93543 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
- Llano, CA 93544 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
- Pearblossom, CA 93553 · last Apr 28, first Nov 15
- Valyermo, CA 93563 · last May 16, first Oct 13
- Pinon Hills, CA 92372 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lancaster, CA?
- For ZIP code 93535, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Palmdale Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Lancaster, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93535?
- 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.