Big Bear Lake, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 27median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season130 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Big Bear Lake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Big Bear Lake falls between May 6 and June 9, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 20.
- The median last frost is 57 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 130-day growing season is longer than 9% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 52 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 176 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Yucaipa, CA, 27 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) | May 6 |
| 50% (median) | May 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 20 |
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 Big Bear Lake, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA frost dates — last frost May 27, first frost Oct 4, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jul 1Sow outdoors: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 17Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 24Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jul 1
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Big Bear Lake, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 6 – May 20 | Apr 29 – Jun 3 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 13 – May 27 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 13 – May 27 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — |
| Basil | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 22 – Jun 3 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 10 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 29 – May 6 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 29 – May 6 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 13 – Jun 10 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 3 – Jun 24 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
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 Big Bear Lake, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 6,752 ft (2,058 m)).
Frost dates near Big Bear Lake
- Fawnskin May 27 · Oct 4
- Sugarloaf May 27 · Oct 4
- Big Bear City May 27 · Oct 4
- Angelus Oaks May 27 · Oct 4
- Green Valley Lake May 5 · Nov 2
- Forest Falls May 27 · Oct 4
- Blue Jay May 5 · Nov 2
- Running Springs May 5 · Nov 2
- Cedar Glen May 5 · Nov 2
- Lucerne Valley May 27 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Big Bear Lake, CA?
The median last spring frost in Big Bear Lake, CA is May 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Big Bear Lake, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Big Bear Lake, CA?
About 130 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Big Bear Lake, CA?
Big Bear Lake, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.