Frost Dates for Coachella, CA 92236
Last spring frost January 31 · First fall frost December 2 · 305 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 92236 has about 43,600 people.
Very long season: 305 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 8–March 8 (59 days). Fall frost risk spans November 8–December 25 (47 days).
Frost probability for 92236
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 8 | January 31 | January 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 8 | December 2 | December 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MECCA FIRE STN (14.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 305-day season in Coachella
In Coachella (305 frost-free days, a very 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 | Dec 27 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 263 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 14. | Aug 2 |
| Pepper | Dec 20 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 263 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 14. | Aug 7 |
| Lettuce | Dec 6 | Jan 3–Jan 10 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 10–Jan 17 | 347 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 347 available after Jan 10. | Sep 30 |
| Cucumber | Jan 10 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Beans | — | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Peas | — | Dec 6–Feb 14 | 368 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 368 available after Dec 6. | Sep 21 |
| Zucchini | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Onion | Nov 8 | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 340 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 6–Jan 24 | 382 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 6 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Kale | Nov 22 | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Broccoli | Dec 6 | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 340 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 3. | Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Dec 6 | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 354 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 354 available after Jan 3. | Sep 30 |
| Radish | — | Dec 6–Feb 28 | 368 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 6 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 31 |
| Beets | — | Dec 6–Feb 28 | 368 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 6 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 326 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 2 | 410 | overwinter: Plant Dec 2 to Dec 23; harvest the following summer. | Dec 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 27–Feb 21 | 361 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 3 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 277 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 7. | Aug 14 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 14 | 270 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 14. | Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 20 | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 319 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 319 available after Jan 24. | Sep 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 6 | Jan 17–Jan 17 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 6–Feb 28 | 382 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 6 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 6 | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 354 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 354 available after Jan 3. | Aug 31 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 270 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 14. | Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Dec 13 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 14. | Aug 12 |
| Okra | Jan 3 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Basil | Dec 27 | Feb 21–Feb 21 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 3–Jan 24 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Parsley | Nov 22 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 305 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 7. | Sep 16 |
| Celery | Nov 22 | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 305 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 7. | Jul 28 |
| Scallions | Nov 22 | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 20–Jan 3 | 368 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 20 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 3 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Collards | Nov 22 | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 354 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 263 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 14. | Jul 28 |
| Chives | Nov 8 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 319 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 6–Feb 28 | 368 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 6 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Oregano | Nov 22 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 319 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 8 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 305 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 7. | — |
| Sage | Dec 6 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 319 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 7. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 22 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 319 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 319 available after Feb 7. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 20 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 326 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Cosmos | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Lavender | Nov 8 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 326 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Melons | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 263 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 14. | Jul 28 |
| Mint | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 326 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 284 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 7. | Aug 31 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 270 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 14. | Jul 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 291 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 291 available after Jan 31. | Aug 26 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 6 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 270 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 7. | Aug 7 |
| Watermelon | Jan 17 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 270 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 7. | Aug 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Zinnias | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
Month by month in Coachella
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jan 3), Corn (Jan 3), Cosmos (Jan 3), Nasturtiums (Jan 3), Okra (Jan 3), Zinnias (Jan 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 3), Turnip (Jan 3), Carrots (Jan 10), Potatoes (Jan 17), Sunflowers (Jan 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 3), Cabbage (Jan 3), Collards (Jan 3), Kale (Jan 3), Lettuce (Jan 3), +12 more. Last frost around January 31. |
| February | Direct sow from: Beans (Feb 7), Pole Beans (Feb 7). Transplant from: Celery (Feb 7), Chives (Feb 7), Corn (Feb 7), Okra (Feb 7), Oregano (Feb 7), Parsley (Feb 7), +17 more. |
| March | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| April | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| May | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| June | Direct sow carrots and beets for fall harvest. Start fall broccoli and kale indoors. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 20), Pumpkin (Jul 20), Cantaloupe (Jul 28), Celery (Jul 28), Melons (Jul 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 30). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Aug 2), Watermelon (Aug 2), Pepper (Aug 7), Tomatillos (Aug 7), Eggplant (Aug 12), Corn (Aug 14), +3 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 5), Cosmos (Sep 5), Cucumber (Sep 5), Zinnias (Sep 5), Broccoli (Sep 6), Nasturtiums (Sep 10), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Beets (Oct 1), Dill (Oct 1), Swiss Chard (Oct 1), Calendula (Oct 6), Cilantro (Oct 6), Collards (Oct 10), +9 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 8), Lavender (Nov 8), Onion (Nov 8), Rosemary (Nov 8), Celery (Nov 22), Collards (Nov 22), +5 more. |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 6), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 6), Cabbage (Dec 6), Lettuce (Dec 6), Sage (Dec 6), Swiss Chard (Dec 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 2), Arugula (Dec 6), Beets (Dec 6), Dill (Dec 6), Peas (Dec 6), Radish (Dec 6), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 27). First frost around December 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 23). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Coachella, CA (ZIP 92236)?
The median last spring frost date for Coachella, CA (ZIP code 92236) is around January 31. 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 January 8; one in ten it runs past March 8.
What is the first fall frost date in Coachella, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Coachella, CA is around December 2. 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 November 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Coachella, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Coachella is about 305 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 Coachella (305 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Coachella, CA?
Coachella, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (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 Coachella, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 27 and plant out Feb 14 in Coachella. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Coachella?
Two: plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9.
When do I plant garlic in Coachella?
Dec 2 to Dec 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Coachella?
Yes: plant out Feb 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 2 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Palm Desert (ZIP 92260) has 326 frost-free days, 21 more than Coachella (ZIP 92236). See Palm Desert ZIP 92260 frost dates
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