Whitewater, CA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 25median date
First fall frostDec 15median date
Growing season293 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Whitewater compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Whitewater falls between January 7 and April 3, a 86-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 23 and January 16.
- The median last frost is 34 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 293-day growing season is longer than 95% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 13 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Cathedral City, CA, 28 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 7 |
| 50% (median) | February 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 23 |
| 50% (median) | December 15 |
| 90% (late) | January 16 |
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 Whitewater, CA
Whitewater, CA frost dates — last frost Feb 25, first frost Dec 15, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 17
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Nov 3 to Nov 24
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Plant for fall: Dec 1 to Jan 5Plant for fall: Dec 1 to Jan 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Whitewater, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Jan 28 – Mar 4 | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Kale | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Broccoli | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cabbage | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Okra | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Basil | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 21 – Mar 4 | Nov 3 – Nov 24 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 29 – Oct 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 29 – Oct 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 1 – Jan 5 |
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 Morongo Valley N, CA weather station, 14 km away (elevation 3,146 ft (959 m)).
Frost dates near Whitewater
- Morongo Valley Feb 25 · Dec 15
- North Palm Springs Jan 1 · Dec 31
- Cabazon May 16 · Oct 24
- Desert Hot Springs Jan 9 · Jan 9
- Banning Jan 31 · Dec 10
- Palm Springs Jan 1 · Dec 31
- Pioneertown Feb 16 · Dec 10
- Cathedral City Jan 9 · Jan 9
- Forest Falls May 27 · Oct 4
- Beaumont Jan 31 · Dec 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Whitewater, CA?
The median last spring frost in Whitewater, CA is February 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Whitewater, CA?
The median first fall frost is December 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 23.
How long is the growing season in Whitewater, CA?
About 293 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Whitewater, CA?
Whitewater, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.