Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Lancaster, California

Typical last spring frost April 3 (1 spring in 10 later than April 23). Typical first fall frost November 1 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 17). Growing season about 211 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until March 8 and fades out by April 23. It is unlikely from then until October 17, and likely again after November 14. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 3 and November 1.

January

  • January 16 to February 13: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • January 30 to February 27: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 13 to March 6: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • February 20 to March 6: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • February 27 to March 13: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 6 to 20: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 6 to 20: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)
  • March 20 to April 3: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • March 20 to April 3: Cauliflower (plant out)

April

  • April 3: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)
  • April 17: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • April 17: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

May

Nothing to start this month.

June

  • June 6 to 20: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)
  • June 26 to July 10: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

Nothing to start this month.

August

  • August 5: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 9: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 10: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 14: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 15: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 19: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 29: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 8: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 18: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 17: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 17 to 24: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Lancaster WM J Fox Field (station USW00003159), 4 miles from the center of Lancaster. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/california/lancaster/

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