Frost dates for 93536Lancaster, CA
The average last spring frost in Lancaster is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 29, giving a typical growing season of about 236 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 29
- Growing season
- 236 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 28 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 28 · Apr 30 · Jun 1 | Oct 24 · Nov 13 · Dec 2 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 20 · Apr 6 · May 20 | Nov 5 · Nov 29 · Dec 15 | 236 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 6 · Feb 25 · May 1 | Nov 20 · Dec 10 · Jan 7 | 293 days | 99% |
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 | Mar 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 19 – Dec 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93536 is matched to the NOAA station Fairmont, CA, 7.3 km away, at 3,060 ft elevation (353 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont, CA (used) | 3,060 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 29 |
| Lancaster Wm J Fox Fld, CA | 2,338 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Palmdale Ap, CA | 2,524 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 15 |
| Palmdale, CA | 2,612 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Rosamond, CA 93560 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Lake Hughes, CA 93532 · last Apr 15, first Nov 26
- Palmdale, CA 93551 · last Apr 6, first Nov 29
- Lancaster, CA 93534 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Acton, CA 93510 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Santa Clarita, CA 91390 · last Jan 8, first Jan 1
- Canyon Country, CA 91351 · last Jan 8, first Jan 1
- Valencia, CA 91354 · last Jan 8, first Jan 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lancaster, CA?
- For ZIP code 93536, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fairmont, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Lancaster, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 29. 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 93536?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 236 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.