Frost dates for 93556Ridgecrest, CA
The average last spring frost in Ridgecrest is March 11 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 244 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 244 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 11 · Apr 3 · Apr 22 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 15 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 11 · Apr 9 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Nov 25 | 244 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 29 · Feb 20 · Mar 9 | Nov 6 · Nov 23 · Dec 6 | 275 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ridgecrest
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 8 – Apr 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – May 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93556 is matched to the NOAA station China Lake Naf, CA, 7.5 km away, at 2,230 ft elevation (63 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Lake Naf, CA (used) | 2,230 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 12 |
| Inyokern, CA | 2,430 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 20 |
| Randsburg, CA | 3,570 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 25 |
| Trona, CA | 1,695 ft | Feb 15 | Nov 28 |
Frost dates near Ridgecrest
- Ridgecrest, CA 93555 · last Mar 11, first Nov 12
- Inyokern, CA 93527 · last Mar 9, first Nov 20
- Randsburg, CA 93554 · last Mar 11, first Nov 12
- Johannesburg, CA 93528 · last Mar 19, first Nov 25
- Trona, CA 93562 · last Feb 15, first Nov 28
- Red Mountain, CA 93558 · last Mar 19, first Nov 25
- Onyx, CA 93255 · last Apr 22, first Nov 13
- Little Lake, CA 93542 · last Apr 17, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ridgecrest, CA?
- For ZIP code 93556, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the China Lake Naf, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Ridgecrest, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93556?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 244 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.