Frost dates for 93584Lancaster, CA
The average last spring frost in Lancaster is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 211 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 211 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 31 · Apr 19 · May 5 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Apr 3 · Apr 23 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 211 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 8 · Apr 7 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 26 | 244 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 | Mar 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93584 is matched to the NOAA station Lancaster Wm J Fox Fld, CA, 8.4 km away, at 2,338 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Wm J Fox Fld, CA (used) | 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 |
| Fairmont, CA | 3,060 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 29 |
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Lancaster, CA 93539 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Palmdale, CA 93590 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Acton, CA 93510 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Rosamond, CA 93560 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Littlerock, CA 93543 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
- Edwards, CA 93523 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Pearblossom, CA 93553 · last Apr 28, first Nov 15
- Lake Hughes, CA 93532 · last Apr 15, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lancaster, CA?
- For ZIP code 93584, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lancaster Wm J Fox Fld, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Lancaster, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93584?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 211 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.