Idyllwild, CA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 16median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season161 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Idyllwild compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Idyllwild falls between April 23 and June 5, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 46 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 161-day growing season is longer than 18% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 48 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 107 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Cathedral City, CA, 24 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) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Idyllwild, CA
Idyllwild, CA frost dates — last frost May 16, first frost Oct 24, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 23Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 20
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Idyllwild, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 18 – May 23 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Basil | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 23 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Idyllwild Fire Dept, CA weather station, 3 km away (elevation 5,381 ft (1,640 m)).
Frost dates near Idyllwild
- Mountain Center May 16 · Oct 24
- Anza May 16 · Oct 24
- Palm Springs Jan 1 · Dec 31
- Cabazon May 16 · Oct 24
- San Jacinto Jan 31 · Dec 10
- Cathedral City Jan 9 · Jan 9
- Hemet Jan 31 · Dec 10
- North Palm Springs Jan 1 · Dec 31
- Rancho Mirage Jan 9 · Jan 9
- Banning Jan 31 · Dec 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Idyllwild, CA?
The median last spring frost in Idyllwild, CA is May 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Idyllwild, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Idyllwild, CA?
About 161 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Idyllwild, CA?
Idyllwild, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.