Descanso, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season191 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Descanso compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Descanso falls between March 24 and May 14, a 51-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 19 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 191-day growing season is longer than 30% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 58 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 87 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby El Cajon, CA, 33 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) | March 24 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 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 Descanso, CA
Descanso, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 27, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Descanso, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Cuyamaca, CA weather station, 13 km away (elevation 4,639 ft (1,414 m)).
Frost dates near Descanso
- Guatay Apr 22 · Nov 8
- Pine Valley Apr 22 · Nov 8
- Alpine Feb 12 · Dec 24
- Mount Laguna Apr 22 · Nov 8
- Julian Mar 27 · Dec 1
- Campo Apr 30 · Oct 26
- Jamul Jan 6 · Dec 21
- Potrero Apr 30 · Oct 26
- Ramona Mar 4 · Dec 4
- Lakeside Jan 6 · Dec 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Descanso, CA?
The median last spring frost in Descanso, CA is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Descanso, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Descanso, CA?
About 191 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Descanso, CA?
Descanso, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.