Frost dates for 93590Palmdale, CA
The average last spring frost in Palmdale is March 10 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 248 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 248 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 23 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 5 · Apr 26 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 21 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 10 · Apr 11 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 4 | 248 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 14 · Feb 13 · Mar 17 | Nov 15 · Dec 1 · Dec 23 | 292 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Palmdale
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 7 – Apr 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – May 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Apr 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93590 is matched to the NOAA station Palmdale, CA, 2.3 km away, at 2,612 ft elevation (46 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmdale, CA (used) | 2,612 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 19 |
| Palmdale Ap, CA | 2,524 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 15 |
| Lancaster Wm J Fox Fld, CA | 2,338 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Pearblossom, CA | 3,101 ft | Mar 13 | Dec 1 |
Frost dates near Palmdale
- Palmdale, CA 93599 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Lancaster, CA 93534 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Acton, CA 93510 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Littlerock, CA 93543 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
- Pearblossom, CA 93553 · last Apr 28, first Nov 15
- Canyon Country, CA 91387 · last Jan 8, first Jan 1
- Llano, CA 93544 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
- Rosamond, CA 93560 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Palmdale, CA?
- For ZIP code 93590, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Palmdale, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Palmdale, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93590?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 248 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.