Palomar Mountain, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostNov 18median date
Growing season203 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Palomar Mountain compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Palomar Mountain falls between April 2 and May 29, a 57-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and December 8.
- The median last frost is 29 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 203-day growing season is longer than 35% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 57 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 49 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Escondido, CA, 29 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 2 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 18 |
| 90% (late) | December 8 |
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 Palomar Mountain, CA
Palomar Mountain, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 29, first frost Nov 18, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Dec 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Palomar Mountain, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Sep 23 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 4 – Dec 9 |
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 Palomar Mtn Obsy, CA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 5,551 ft (1,692 m)).
Frost dates near Palomar Mountain
- Pauma Valley Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Valley Center Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Aguanga Apr 29 · Nov 18
- Pala Feb 2 · Jan 30
- Warner Springs Apr 18 · Oct 26
- Santa Ysabel Apr 18 · Oct 26
- Bonsall Jan 30 · Jan 7
- Escondido Jan 2 · Dec 30
- San Ysidro Jan 10 · Jan 1
- Temecula Feb 2 · Jan 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Palomar Mountain, CA?
The median last spring frost in Palomar Mountain, CA is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Palomar Mountain, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Palomar Mountain, CA?
About 203 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Palomar Mountain, CA?
Palomar Mountain, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.