Frost Dates for California City, CA 93505
Last spring frost March 20 · First fall frost November 12 · 237 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 93505 has about 14,400 people.
Long season: 237 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 22–April 17 (54 days). Fall frost risk spans October 29–November 26 (28 days).
Frost probability for 93505
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 17 | March 20 | February 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 29 | November 12 | November 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MOJAVE (25.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 237-day season in California City
In California City (237 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 3. | Jul 13 |
| Pepper | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 3. | Jul 18 |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 279 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 27. | Sep 10 |
| Cucumber | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Peas | — | Jan 23–Apr 3 | 300 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 300 available after Jan 23. | Sep 1 |
| Zucchini | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Onion | Dec 26 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 272 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 23–Mar 13 | 314 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 272 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 20. | Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 286 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 20. | Sep 10 |
| Radish | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Oct 11 |
| Beets | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 12 | 342 | overwinter: Plant Nov 12 to Dec 3; harvest the following summer. | Dec 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 13–Apr 10 | 293 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 27. | Jul 25 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jun 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 251 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 13. | Aug 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 314 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 286 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 20. | Aug 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 3. | Jul 23 |
| Okra | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Basil | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 20–Mar 13 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Parsley | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 237 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 27. | Aug 27 |
| Celery | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 237 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 27. | Jul 8 |
| Scallions | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 20 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Collards | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 195 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 3. | Jul 8 |
| Chives | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Oregano | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 251 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 237 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Sage | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 251 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Cosmos | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Lavender | Dec 26 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Melons | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 195 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 3. | Jul 8 |
| Mint | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 216 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 27. | Aug 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jul 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 223 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 20. | Aug 6 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 27. | Jul 18 |
| Watermelon | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 27. | Jul 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Zinnias | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
Month by month in California City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 9), Collards (Jan 9), Kale (Jan 9), Oregano (Jan 9), Parsley (Jan 9), Scallions (Jan 9), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 23), Beets (Jan 23), Dill (Jan 23), Peas (Jan 23), Radish (Jan 23), Spinach (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 6), Cauliflower (Feb 6), Marigolds (Feb 6), Pepper (Feb 6), Basil (Feb 13), Tomato (Feb 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 6), Cilantro (Feb 20), Turnip (Feb 20), Carrots (Feb 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 20), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 20), Cabbage (Feb 20), Collards (Feb 20), Kale (Feb 20), Lettuce (Feb 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 13). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 6), Cantaloupe (Mar 6), Melons (Mar 6), Pumpkin (Mar 6), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 6), Watermelon (Mar 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 6), Sunflowers (Mar 20), Beans (Mar 27), Pole Beans (Mar 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 6), Swiss Chard (Mar 6), Bok Choy (Mar 13), Cauliflower (Mar 13), Cosmos (Mar 20), Lavender (Mar 20), +15 more. Last frost around March 20. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 3), Cantaloupe (Apr 3), Cucumber (Apr 3), Eggplant (Apr 3), Melons (Apr 3), Pepper (Apr 3), +6 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 30), Pumpkin (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 8), Celery (Jul 8), Melons (Jul 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 10), Tomato (Jul 13), Watermelon (Jul 13), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 6), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 11), Pole Beans (Aug 11), Basil (Aug 16), Cosmos (Aug 16), Cucumber (Aug 16), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 1), Cabbage (Sep 10), Carrots (Sep 10), Beets (Sep 11), Dill (Sep 11), Swiss Chard (Sep 11), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 10), Spinach (Oct 10), Radish (Oct 11). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 12). First frost around November 12. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 26), Lavender (Dec 26), Onion (Dec 26), Rosemary (Dec 26). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 3). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for California City, CA (ZIP 93505)?
The median last spring frost date for California City, CA (ZIP code 93505) is around March 20. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before February 22; one in ten it runs past April 17.
What is the first fall frost date in California City, CA?
The median first fall frost date for California City, CA is around November 12. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 29 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in California City, CA?
The frost-free growing season in California City is about 237 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In California City (237 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is California City, CA?
California City, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in California City, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 13 and plant out Apr 3 in California City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in California City?
Two: plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19.
When do I plant garlic in California City?
Nov 12 to Dec 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in California City?
Yes: plant out Apr 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 13 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Ridgecrest (ZIP 93555) has 248 frost-free days, 11 more than California City (ZIP 93505). See Ridgecrest ZIP 93555 frost dates
Nearby and related
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