Frost dates for 93535 — Lancaster, CA
Last spring frostMar 18median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season242 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Lancaster compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lancaster falls between February 19 and April 11, a 51-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and November 30.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 242-day growing season is longer than 53% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 54 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Santa Clarita, CA, 68 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) | February 19 |
| 50% (median) | March 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 90% (late) | November 30 |
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 Lancaster, CA
Frost dates for 93535 — Lancaster, CA — last frost Mar 18, first frost Nov 15, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lancaster, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 18 – Mar 25 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Basil | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 25 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Dec 6 |
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 Palmdale Ap, CA weather station, 21 km away (elevation 2,523 ft (769 m)).
ZIP codes in Lancaster: 93534 93535 93536 93539 93584 93586
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Palmdale Mar 10 · Nov 19
- Edwards Mar 15 · Nov 17
- Littlerock Mar 13 · Dec 1
- Llano Mar 13 · Dec 1
- Pearblossom Mar 13 · Dec 1
- Valyermo May 16 · Oct 13
- Pinon Hills May 16 · Oct 13
- Boron Mar 19 · Nov 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lancaster, CA?
The median last spring frost in Lancaster, CA is March 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lancaster, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster, CA?
About 242 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lancaster, CA?
Lancaster, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.