Frost dates for 93591Palmdale, CA
The average last spring frost in Palmdale is March 13 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 258 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 258 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 12 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 30 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 14 · Apr 14 · May 9 | Oct 28 · Nov 16 · Dec 3 | 216 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 10 · Mar 13 · Apr 17 | Nov 12 · Dec 1 · Dec 18 | 258 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 30 · Feb 9 · Mar 18 | Nov 25 · Dec 12 · Jan 16 | 312 days | 95% |
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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93591 is matched to the NOAA station Pearblossom, CA, 13.5 km away, at 3,101 ft elevation (365 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearblossom, CA (used) | 3,101 ft | Mar 13 | Dec 1 |
| El Mirage, CA | 2,950 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 12 |
| Palmdale Ap, CA | 2,524 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 15 |
| Palmdale, CA | 2,612 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near Palmdale
- Llano, CA 93544 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
- Lancaster, CA 93535 · last Mar 18, first Nov 15
- Littlerock, CA 93543 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
- Palmdale, CA 93552 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
- Pearblossom, CA 93553 · last Apr 28, first Nov 15
- Valyermo, CA 93563 · last May 16, first Oct 13
- Pinon Hills, CA 92372 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
- Phelan, CA 92329 · last Mar 13, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Palmdale, CA?
- For ZIP code 93591, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pearblossom, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Palmdale, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93591?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 258 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.