Valley Center, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 19median date
First fall frostDec 1median date
Growing season285 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Valley Center compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Valley Center falls between January 10 and March 31, a 80-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 11 and December 20.
- The median last frost is 40 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 285-day growing season is longer than 86% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9b, where the median is Feb 20.
- The weather station records an average of 19 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Escondido, CA, 16 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 10 |
| 50% (median) | February 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 11 |
| 50% (median) | December 1 |
| 90% (late) | December 20 |
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 Valley Center, CA
Valley Center, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 19, first frost Dec 1, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Nov 27 to Dec 11Transplant outside: Jan 22 to Feb 5
Start indoors: Dec 11 to Dec 25Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Dec 11 to Dec 25Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Jan 22 to Feb 5Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Jan 8 to Jan 29Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 8 to Jan 29Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Jan 29Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Jan 29Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 26
Plant for fall: Nov 17 to Dec 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Valley Center, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 27 – Dec 11 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Jan 22 – Feb 26 | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Kale | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Broccoli | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Okra | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — |
| Basil | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 8 – Jan 29 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 15 – Feb 26 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 22 – Jan 29 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 26 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 26 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| 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 Valley Ctr 1n, CA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 1,289 ft (393 m)).
Frost dates near Valley Center
- Pauma Valley Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Palomar Mountain Apr 29 · Nov 18
- Pala Feb 2 · Jan 30
- Escondido Jan 2 · Dec 30
- Bonsall Jan 30 · Jan 7
- San Marcos Jan 2 · Dec 30
- Vista Jan 30 · Jan 7
- Fallbrook Feb 2 · Jan 30
- Ramona Mar 4 · Dec 4
- San Luis Rey Jan 23 · Dec 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Valley Center, CA?
The median last spring frost in Valley Center, CA is February 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Valley Center, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 11.
How long is the growing season in Valley Center, CA?
About 285 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Valley Center, CA?
Valley Center, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.