Frost dates for 93536 — Lancaster, CA
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostNov 29median date
Growing season237 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Lancaster compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lancaster falls between February 20 and May 20, a 89-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 15.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 237-day growing season is longer than 51% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 21 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 24 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Santa Clarita, CA, 40 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 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 29 |
| 90% (late) | December 15 |
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 93536 — Lancaster, CA — last frost Apr 6, first frost Nov 29, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 8
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Nov 15 to Dec 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lancaster, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Oct 4 – Nov 1 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 15 – Dec 20 |
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 Fairmont, CA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 3,061 ft (933 m)).
ZIP codes in Lancaster: 93534 93535 93536 93539 93584 93586
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Rosamond Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Lake Hughes Apr 6 · Nov 29
- Acton Mar 10 · Nov 19
- Palmdale Mar 10 · Nov 19
- Canyon Country Jan 8 · Jan 1
- Castaic Jan 8 · Jan 1
- Mojave Mar 15 · Nov 17
- Valencia Jan 8 · Jan 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lancaster, CA?
The median last spring frost in Lancaster, CA is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, 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 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster, CA?
About 237 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.