Joshua Tree, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 28median date
First fall frostDec 1median date
Growing season276 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Joshua Tree compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Joshua Tree falls between January 21 and March 28, a 66-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 12 and December 17.
- The median last frost is 31 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 276-day growing season is longer than 76% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9a, where the median is Mar 3.
- The weather station records an average of 24 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Cathedral City, CA, 42 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) | January 21 |
| 50% (median) | February 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 12 |
| 50% (median) | December 1 |
| 90% (late) | December 17 |
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 Joshua Tree, CA
Joshua Tree, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 28, first frost Dec 1, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Plant for fall: Nov 17 to Dec 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Joshua Tree, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Jan 31 – Mar 7 | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Kale | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Broccoli | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Okra | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Basil | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 24 – Mar 7 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 17 – Dec 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 Joshua Tree, CA weather station, 3 km away (elevation 2,562 ft (781 m)).
Frost dates near Joshua Tree
- Yucca Valley Mar 14 · Nov 28
- Pioneertown Feb 16 · Dec 10
- Twentynine Palms Jan 24 · Dec 10
- Morongo Valley Feb 25 · Dec 15
- Landers Mar 1 · Nov 29
- Desert Hot Springs Jan 9 · Jan 9
- North Palm Springs Jan 1 · Dec 31
- Whitewater Feb 25 · Dec 15
- Thousand Palms Jan 9 · Jan 9
- Cathedral City Jan 9 · Jan 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Joshua Tree, CA?
The median last spring frost in Joshua Tree, CA is February 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Joshua Tree, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 12.
How long is the growing season in Joshua Tree, CA?
About 276 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Joshua Tree, CA?
Joshua Tree, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.