Santa Ysabel, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season191 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Santa Ysabel compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Santa Ysabel falls between March 30 and May 14, a 45-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 18 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 191-day growing season is longer than 30% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 46 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 105 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Escondido, CA, 36 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) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Santa Ysabel, CA
Santa Ysabel, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 26, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Santa Ysabel, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
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 Henshaw Dam, CA weather station, 12 km away (elevation 2,700 ft (823 m)).
Frost dates near Santa Ysabel
- Julian Mar 27 · Dec 1
- San Ysidro Jan 10 · Jan 1
- Ranchita Jan 10 · Jan 1
- Warner Springs Apr 18 · Oct 26
- Ramona Mar 4 · Dec 4
- Palomar Mountain Apr 29 · Nov 18
- Pauma Valley Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Valley Center Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Descanso Apr 19 · Oct 27
- Borrego Springs Jan 10 · Jan 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Santa Ysabel, CA?
The median last spring frost in Santa Ysabel, CA is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Santa Ysabel, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Santa Ysabel, CA?
About 191 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Santa Ysabel, CA?
Santa Ysabel, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.