Darwin, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season198 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Darwin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Darwin falls between March 29 and May 8, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 198-day growing season is longer than 32% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 32 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 80 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 29 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Darwin, CA
Darwin, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 17, first frost Nov 1, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Darwin, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Haiwee, CA weather station, 36 km away (elevation 3,825 ft (1,166 m)).
Frost dates near Darwin
- Keeler Apr 17 · Nov 1
- Olancha Apr 17 · Nov 1
- Little Lake Apr 17 · Nov 1
- Lone Pine Mar 31 · Nov 9
- Trona Feb 15 · Nov 28
- Death Valley Jan 1 · Dec 19
- Ridgecrest Mar 11 · Nov 12
- Inyokern Mar 9 · Nov 20
- Independence Mar 31 · Nov 9
- Onyx Apr 5 · Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Darwin, CA?
The median last spring frost in Darwin, CA is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Darwin, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Darwin, CA?
About 198 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Darwin, CA?
Darwin, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.