Frost dates for 93556 — Ridgecrest, CA
Last spring frostMar 11median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season246 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Ridgecrest compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ridgecrest falls between February 18 and April 9, a 50-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and November 25.
- The median last frost is 20 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 246-day growing season is longer than 54% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier 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 59 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lancaster, CA, 110 km away, the last frost here is 23 days earlier than there and the growing season is 34 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 18 |
| 50% (median) | March 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 12 |
| 90% (late) | November 25 |
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 Ridgecrest, CA
Frost dates for 93556 — Ridgecrest, CA — last frost Mar 11, first frost Nov 12, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ridgecrest, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 11 – Mar 18 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Basil | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 18 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 29 – Dec 3 |
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 China Lake Naf, CA weather station, 8 km away (elevation 2,231 ft (680 m)).
ZIP codes in Ridgecrest: 93555 93556
Frost dates near Ridgecrest
- Inyokern Mar 9 · Nov 20
- Randsburg Mar 19 · Nov 25
- Johannesburg Mar 19 · Nov 25
- Trona Feb 15 · Nov 28
- Red Mountain Mar 19 · Nov 25
- Onyx Apr 5 · Nov 3
- Little Lake Apr 17 · Nov 1
- Cantil Mar 19 · Nov 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ridgecrest, CA?
The median last spring frost in Ridgecrest, CA is March 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ridgecrest, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Ridgecrest, CA?
About 246 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ridgecrest, CA?
Ridgecrest, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.