Sun City, CA frost dates
Last spring frostJan 28median date
First fall frostDec 18median date
Growing season324 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 9 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Sun City compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Sun City fall between December 18 and January 28. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as December 1, or the last frost as late as February 27.
- Sun City shares its weather station with Menifee, CA, 7 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | December 24 |
| 50% (median) | January 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | February 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | December 1 |
| 50% (median) | December 18 |
| 90% (late) | January 24 |
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 Sun City, CA
Sun City, CA frost dates — last frost Jan 28, first frost Dec 18, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 5 to Nov 19Transplant outside: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Dec 31 to Jan 14
Start indoors: Nov 19 to Dec 3Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Nov 19 to Dec 3Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 20
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Dec 31 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Sow outdoors: Dec 17 to Jan 7Sow outdoors: Dec 17 to Jan 7Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Dec 17 to Jan 7Sow outdoors: Dec 17 to Jan 7Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 13
Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Nov 6 to Nov 27
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Jan 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Mar 4
Plant for fall: Dec 4 to Jan 8Plant for fall: Dec 4 to Jan 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sun City, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 5 – Nov 19 | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Dec 31 – Feb 4 | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Kale | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Broccoli | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | — | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cabbage | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | — | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Okra | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — |
| Basil | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 17 – Jan 7 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 17 – Jan 7 | Oct 23 – Nov 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 24 – Feb 4 | Nov 6 – Nov 27 |
| Cucumbers | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Oct 9 – Oct 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 7 – Feb 4 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 7 – Feb 4 | Oct 9 – Oct 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 7 – Jan 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 11 | Oct 9 – Oct 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Oct 23 – Nov 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 4 – Jan 8 |
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 Elsinore, CA weather station, 16 km away (elevation 1,270 ft (387 m)).
ZIP codes in Sun City: 92585 92586
Frost dates near Sun City
- Quail Valley Jan 28 · Dec 18
- Menifee Jan 28 · Dec 18
- Homeland Jan 31 · Dec 10
- Perris rare frost
- Nuevo Jan 31 · Dec 10
- Lake Elsinore Jan 28 · Dec 18
- Winchester Jan 31 · Dec 10
- Wildomar Jan 28 · Dec 18
- Murrieta Feb 2 · Jan 30
- Hemet Jan 31 · Dec 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sun City, CA?
The median last spring frost in Sun City, CA is January 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after February 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sun City, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before December 1.
How long is the growing season in Sun City, CA?
About 324 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sun City, CA?
Sun City, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.