Baker, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 14median date
First fall frostNov 27median date
Growing season286 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Baker compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Baker falls between January 25 and March 4, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 12 and December 9.
- The median last frost is 45 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 286-day growing season is longer than 88% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 17 days earlier than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 33 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Henderson, NV, 118 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 25 |
| 50% (median) | February 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 12 |
| 50% (median) | November 27 |
| 90% (late) | December 9 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Baker, CA
Baker, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 14, first frost Nov 27, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 22 to Dec 6Transplant outside: Jan 17 to Jan 31
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 24 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 17 to Jan 31Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 24 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Sow outdoors: Jan 3 to Jan 24Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 3 to Jan 24Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 10 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 24Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 24Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 21
Plant for fall: Nov 13 to Dec 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Baker, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Jan 17 – Feb 21 | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Kale | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Broccoli | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Okra | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Basil | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 3 – Jan 24 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 3 – Jan 24 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 10 – Feb 21 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | — | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | — | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 21 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 21 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 28 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 21 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 13 – Dec 18 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Baker, CA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 961 ft (293 m)).
Frost dates near Baker
- Mountain Pass Mar 17 · Nov 20
- Cima Mar 6 · Dec 8
- Fort Irwin Feb 19 · Nov 26
- Tecopa Mar 29 · Nov 3
- Shoshone Mar 29 · Nov 3
- Ludlow Mar 1 · Nov 29
- Nipton Mar 7 · Nov 29
- Newberry Springs Feb 19 · Nov 26
- Yermo Feb 19 · Nov 26
- Daggett Feb 19 · Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Baker, CA?
The median last spring frost in Baker, CA is February 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Baker, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 12.
How long is the growing season in Baker, CA?
About 286 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Baker, CA?
Baker, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.