Frost Dates for Escondido, CA 92025
Last spring frost January 14 · First fall frost October 21 · 280 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 92025 has about 50,000 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Escondido.
Very long season: 280 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 92025
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 19 | January 14 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | November 13 | October 21 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at EL CAPITAN DAM (29.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 280-day season in Escondido
In Escondido (280 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 10 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Jan 28. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Dec 3 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Jan 28. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Nov 19 | Dec 17–Dec 24 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Dec 24–Dec 31 | 322 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 322 available after Dec 24. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Dec 24 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Nov 19–Jan 28 | 343 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 343 available after Nov 19. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Oct 22 | Dec 17–Dec 31 | 315 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 315 available after Dec 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Nov 19–Jan 7 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 19 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Nov 5 | Dec 17–Dec 31 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Nov 19 | Dec 17–Dec 31 | 315 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 315 available after Dec 17. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Nov 19 | Dec 17–Dec 31 | 329 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 329 available after Dec 17. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Nov 19–Feb 11 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 19 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Nov 19–Feb 11 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 19 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Dec 31–Jan 7 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Dec 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 385 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 10–Feb 4 | 336 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Dec 17 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 252 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 252 available after Jan 21. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Jan 28 | 245 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 245 available after Jan 28. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 3 | Jan 7–Jan 21 | 294 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 294 available after Jan 7. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Nov 19 | Dec 31–Dec 31 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 31 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Nov 19–Feb 11 | 357 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 19 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Nov 19 | Dec 17–Dec 31 | 329 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 329 available after Dec 17. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 245 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 245 available after Jan 28. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Nov 26 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Jan 28. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Dec 17 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 21 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Dec 10 | Feb 4–Feb 4 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Dec 17–Jan 7 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Nov 5 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 280 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 280 available after Jan 21. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Nov 5 | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 280 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 280 available after Jan 21. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Nov 5 | Dec 17–Dec 31 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Dec 17–Dec 31 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 3–Dec 17 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 3 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Dec 17 | Jan 7–Jan 14 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 7 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Nov 5 | Dec 17–Dec 31 | 329 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 17 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 238 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 238 available after Jan 28. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Oct 22 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 294 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 294 available after Jan 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Nov 19–Feb 11 | 343 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 19 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Nov 5 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 294 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 294 available after Jan 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Oct 22 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 280 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 280 available after Jan 21. | — |
| Sage | Nov 19 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 294 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 294 available after Jan 21. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 5 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 294 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 294 available after Jan 21. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 3 | Dec 31–Jan 14 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 31 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Dec 17 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Oct 22 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Jan 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 3 | Jan 14–Jan 21 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 238 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 238 available after Jan 28. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Jan 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Dec 17 | Jan 14–Jan 21 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jan 21–Feb 4 | 259 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 259 available after Jan 21. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Jan 28. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Jan 14. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Nov 19 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 245 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 245 available after Jan 21. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Dec 31 | Jan 21–Jan 28 | 245 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 245 available after Jan 21. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Dec 31 | Jan 28–Feb 4 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Dec 17 | Jan 14–Jan 28 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 14 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Escondido
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jan 14), Beans (Jan 21), Pole Beans (Jan 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Jan 7), Cauliflower (Jan 7), Cosmos (Jan 14), Lavender (Jan 14), Marigolds (Jan 14), Mint (Jan 14), +24 more. Last frost around January 14. |
| February | Transplant from: Basil (Feb 4). |
| 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 | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Start indoors: Chives (Oct 22), Lavender (Oct 22), Onion (Oct 22), Rosemary (Oct 22). Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Start indoors: Celery (Nov 5), Collards (Nov 5), Kale (Nov 5), Oregano (Nov 5), Parsley (Nov 5), Scallions (Nov 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Nov 19), Beets (Nov 19), Dill (Nov 19), Peas (Nov 19), Radish (Nov 19), Spinach (Nov 19). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| December | Start indoors: Calendula (Dec 3), Cauliflower (Dec 3), Marigolds (Dec 3), Pepper (Dec 3), Basil (Dec 10), Tomato (Dec 10), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Dec 3), Cilantro (Dec 17), Turnip (Dec 17), Carrots (Dec 24), Potatoes (Dec 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Dec 17), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 17), Cabbage (Dec 17), Collards (Dec 17), Kale (Dec 17), Lettuce (Dec 17), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 10). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Escondido, CA (ZIP 92025)?
The median last spring frost date for Escondido, CA (ZIP code 92025) is around January 14. 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.
What is the first fall frost date in Escondido, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Escondido, CA is around October 21. 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 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Escondido, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Escondido is about 280 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 Escondido (280 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 Escondido, CA?
Escondido, 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 Escondido, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 10 and plant out Jan 28 in Escondido. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Escondido?
Two: plant Dec 17 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Escondido?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Escondido?
Yes: plant out Jan 28 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 21 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Poway (ZIP 92064) has 350 frost-free days, 70 more than Escondido (ZIP 92025). See Poway ZIP 92064 frost dates
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