Pioneertown, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 16median date
First fall frostDec 10median date
Growing season297 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Pioneertown compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pioneertown falls between December 25 and March 24, a 89-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 23 and December 26.
- The median last frost is 43 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 297-day growing season is longer than 97% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 15 days earlier 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 15 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Cathedral City, CA, 44 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) | December 25 |
| 50% (median) | February 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 23 |
| 50% (median) | December 10 |
| 90% (late) | December 26 |
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 Pioneertown, CA
Pioneertown, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 16, first frost Dec 10, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Nov 24 to Dec 8Transplant outside: Jan 19 to Feb 2
Start indoors: Dec 8 to Dec 22Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Dec 8 to Dec 22Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 12
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Jan 19 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Jan 26Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Jan 26Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Nov 19
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Jan 26Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Jan 26Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Plant for fall: Nov 26 to Dec 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pioneertown, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 24 – Dec 8 | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 8 – Dec 22 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 8 – Dec 22 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Jan 19 – Feb 23 | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Kale | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Broccoli | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cabbage | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Okra | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — |
| Basil | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 5 – Jan 26 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 5 – Jan 26 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 23 | Oct 29 – Nov 19 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 19 – Jan 26 | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 19 – Jan 26 | — | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Oct 1 – Oct 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 19 – Jan 26 | — | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 19 – Jan 26 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 23 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 2 | Oct 1 – Oct 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 26 – Dec 31 |
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 Yucca Mesa, CA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 3,445 ft (1,050 m)).
Frost dates near Pioneertown
- Yucca Valley Mar 14 · Nov 28
- Landers Mar 1 · Nov 29
- Morongo Valley Feb 25 · Dec 15
- Joshua Tree Feb 28 · Dec 1
- Whitewater Feb 25 · Dec 15
- Big Bear City May 27 · Oct 4
- North Palm Springs Jan 1 · Dec 31
- Sugarloaf May 27 · Oct 4
- Desert Hot Springs Jan 9 · Jan 9
- Big Bear Lake May 27 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pioneertown, CA?
The median last spring frost in Pioneertown, CA is February 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Pioneertown, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 23.
How long is the growing season in Pioneertown, CA?
About 297 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pioneertown, CA?
Pioneertown, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.