Frost dates for 91980 — Tecate, CA
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Tecate compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tecate falls between April 9 and June 1, a 53-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 30 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 23% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 69 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 71 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby El Cajon, CA, 38 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) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
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 Tecate, CA
Frost dates for 91980 — Tecate, CA — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 26, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tecate, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| 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 Campo, CA weather station, 15 km away (elevation 2,631 ft (802 m)).
ZIP codes in Tecate: 91980 91987
Frost dates near Tecate
- Potrero Apr 30 · Oct 26
- Dulzura Jan 6 · Dec 31
- Campo Apr 30 · Oct 26
- Jamul Jan 6 · Dec 21
- Pine Valley Apr 22 · Nov 8
- Boulevard Apr 29 · Nov 1
- Guatay Apr 22 · Nov 8
- Alpine Feb 12 · Dec 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tecate, CA?
The median last spring frost in Tecate, CA is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tecate, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Tecate, CA?
About 179 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tecate, CA?
Tecate, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.