Frost dates for 93561Tehachapi, CA
The average last spring frost in Tehachapi is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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) | Apr 27 · May 16 · Jun 5 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Nov 1 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 28 · May 21 | Oct 4 · Oct 26 · Nov 17 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 22 · Nov 16 · Dec 5 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tehachapi
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93561 is matched to the NOAA station Tehachapi 4 Se, CA, 4.2 km away, at 4,220 ft elevation (250 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tehachapi 4 Se, CA (used) | 4,220 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 26 |
| Mojave, CA | 2,735 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 17 |
| Loraine 5 Nne, CA | 4,235 ft | Apr 22 | Nov 13 |
| Fairmont, CA | 3,060 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 29 |
Frost dates near Tehachapi
- Tehachapi, CA 93581 · last Apr 28, first Oct 26
- Keene, CA 93531 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Caliente, CA 93518 · last Apr 22, first Nov 13
- Mojave, CA 93502 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Rosamond, CA 93560 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Arvin, CA 93203 · last Jan 17, first Dec 15
- Lancaster, CA 93536 · last Apr 6, first Nov 29
- California City, CA 93505 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tehachapi, CA?
- For ZIP code 93561, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tehachapi 4 Se, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Tehachapi, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93561?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 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.