Foothill Ranch, CA frost dates
Last spring frostRaremost years have none
First fall frostRaremost years have none
Hardiness zone10bZone 10b
Gardening where frost is rare
Foothill Ranch, CA rarely or never drops to freezing, so the usual "plant after the last frost" rule doesn't apply. Heat and rainfall decide the seasons instead:
- Cool-season crops (lettuce, broccoli, peas, carrots) grow best from fall through late winter.
- Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash) do best planted in late winter to spring, and again in late summer for a fall crop — midsummer heat can stop tomatoes setting fruit.
- Heat lovers (okra, sweet potatoes, melons) can be planted through spring and early summer.
How Foothill Ranch compares
- Nearby Lake Forest, CA, 4 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Irvine Rch, CA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 541 ft (165 m)).
Frost dates near Foothill Ranch
- Lake Forest Jan 5 · Dec 25
- El Toro Jan 5 · Dec 25
- Mission Viejo rare frost
- Trabuco Canyon rare frost
- Rancho Santa Margarita rare frost
- East Irvine Jan 5 · Dec 25
- Silverado rare frost
- Laguna Woods Jan 6 · Jan 2
- Laguna Hills Jan 6 · Jan 2
- Aliso Viejo Jan 6 · Jan 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Foothill Ranch, CA?
In most years Foothill Ranch, CA has no frost at all. The nearest NOAA station averages 1 nights a year at or below 32°F — too few to calculate a typical frost date.