Frost Dates for Imperial, CA 92251
Last spring frost January 24 · First fall frost January 10 · 351 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 92251 has about 27,500 people.
Very long season: 351 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 92251
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | February 16 | January 24 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | November 27 | January 10 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BRAWLEY 2 SW (17.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 351-day season in Imperial
In Imperial (351 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 20 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 309 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 7. | Sep 10 |
| Pepper | Dec 13 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 309 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 7. | Sep 15 |
| Lettuce | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 3 | 386 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Nov 19; both mature before Jan 17. | Nov 19 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 3–Jan 10 | 393 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 393 available after Jan 3. | Nov 8 |
| Cucumber | Jan 3 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 14 |
| Beans | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Jan 3. | Oct 21 |
| Peas | — | Nov 29–Feb 7 | 414 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 414 available after Nov 29. | Oct 30 |
| Zucchini | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 19 |
| Onion | Nov 1 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 386 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 386 available after Dec 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Nov 29–Jan 17 | 428 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Dec 8; both mature before Jan 31. | Dec 8 |
| Kale | Nov 15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 400 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Nov 23; both mature before Jan 31. | Nov 23 |
| Broccoli | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 386 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 386 available after Dec 27. | Oct 15 |
| Cabbage | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 400 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 400 available after Dec 27. | Nov 8 |
| Radish | — | Nov 29–Feb 21 | 414 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Dec 9; both mature before Jan 17. | Dec 9 |
| Beets | — | Nov 29–Feb 21 | 414 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Nov 9; both mature before Jan 17. | Nov 9 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 10–Jan 17 | 372 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 372 available after Jan 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Jan 10 | 456 | overwinter: Plant Jan 10 to Jan 31; harvest the following summer. | Jan 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 20–Feb 14 | 407 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Dec 27 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 323 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 323 available after Jan 31. | Sep 22 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 7 | 316 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 7. | Aug 28 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 13 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 365 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 365 available after Jan 17. | Oct 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Nov 29 | Jan 10–Jan 10 | 372 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Nov 9; both mature before Jan 17. | Nov 9 |
| Arugula | — | Nov 29–Feb 21 | 428 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Dec 8; both mature before Jan 31. | Dec 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 400 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 400 available after Dec 27. | Oct 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 316 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 7. | Aug 28 |
| Eggplant | Dec 6 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 309 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 7. | Sep 20 |
| Okra | Dec 27 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 330 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 19 |
| Basil | Dec 20 | Feb 14–Feb 14 | 316 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Dec 27–Jan 17 | 386 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Nov 14; both mature before Jan 17. | Nov 14 |
| Parsley | Nov 15 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 351 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 351 available after Jan 31. | Oct 25 |
| Celery | Nov 15 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 351 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 351 available after Jan 31. | Sep 5 |
| Scallions | Nov 15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 400 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Nov 18; both mature before Jan 31. | Nov 18 |
| Turnip | — | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 400 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Nov 28; both mature before Jan 31. | Nov 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 414 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Nov 23; both mature before Jan 31. | Nov 23 |
| Bok Choy | Dec 27 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 365 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Nov 19; both mature before Jan 17. | Nov 19 |
| Collards | Nov 15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 400 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Nov 18; both mature before Jan 31. | Nov 18 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 309 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 7. | Sep 5 |
| Chives | Nov 1 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 365 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 365 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Dill | — | Nov 29–Feb 21 | 414 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Nov 9; both mature before Jan 17. | Nov 9 |
| Oregano | Nov 15 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 365 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 365 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 1 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 351 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 351 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Sage | Nov 29 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 365 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 365 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 15 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 365 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 365 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 13 | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 372 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Nov 14; both mature before Jan 17. | Nov 14 |
| Cosmos | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 14 |
| Lavender | Nov 1 | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 372 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 372 available after Jan 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 13 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 24 |
| Melons | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 309 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 7. | Sep 5 |
| Mint | — | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 372 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 372 available after Jan 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 330 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 330 available after Jan 31. | Oct 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 316 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 316 available after Feb 7. | Sep 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 337 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 337 available after Jan 24. | Oct 4 |
| Tomatillos | Nov 29 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 316 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 316 available after Jan 31. | Sep 15 |
| Watermelon | Jan 10 | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 316 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 316 available after Jan 31. | Sep 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 19 |
| Zinnias | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 14 |
Month by month in Imperial
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Cucumber (Jan 3), Butternut Squash (Jan 10), Cantaloupe (Jan 10), Melons (Jan 10), Pumpkin (Jan 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jan 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Jan 3), Garlic (Jan 10), Potatoes (Jan 10), Sunflowers (Jan 24), Beans (Jan 31), Pole Beans (Jan 31). Transplant from: Calendula (Jan 10), Swiss Chard (Jan 10), Bok Choy (Jan 17), Cauliflower (Jan 17), Cosmos (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), +15 more. Last frost around January 24. First frost around January 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Jan 31). |
| February | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Feb 7), Cantaloupe (Feb 7), Cucumber (Feb 7), Eggplant (Feb 7), Melons (Feb 7), Pepper (Feb 7), +6 more. |
| March | Transplant warm-season crops outdoors. Sow beans, cucumbers, and squash. |
| April | Main warm-season planting window. Direct sow melons and sweet corn. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce. Keep beds irrigated as temperatures climb. |
| June | Monitor for heat stress. Harvest zucchini and cucumbers frequently. |
| July | Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Watch for pests. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Aug 28), Pumpkin (Aug 28). |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Sep 5), Celery (Sep 5), Melons (Sep 5), Spaghetti Squash (Sep 7), Tomato (Sep 10), Watermelon (Sep 10), +4 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Oct 4), Brussel Sprouts (Oct 9), Pole Beans (Oct 9), Basil (Oct 14), Cosmos (Oct 14), Cucumber (Oct 14), +11 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 1), Lavender (Nov 1), Onion (Nov 1), Rosemary (Nov 1), Celery (Nov 15), Collards (Nov 15), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Nov 29), Beets (Nov 29), Dill (Nov 29), Peas (Nov 29), Radish (Nov 29), Spinach (Nov 29). Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Nov 8), Carrots (Nov 8), Beets (Nov 9), Dill (Nov 9), Swiss Chard (Nov 9), Calendula (Nov 14), +8 more. |
| December | Start indoors: Eggplant (Dec 6), Calendula (Dec 13), Cauliflower (Dec 13), Marigolds (Dec 13), Pepper (Dec 13), Basil (Dec 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Dec 13), Cilantro (Dec 27), Turnip (Dec 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Dec 27), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 27), Cabbage (Dec 27), Collards (Dec 27), Kale (Dec 27), Lettuce (Dec 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 20). Last sowing dates: Arugula (Dec 8), Spinach (Dec 8), Radish (Dec 9). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Imperial, CA (ZIP 92251)?
The median last spring frost date for Imperial, CA (ZIP code 92251) is around January 24. 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 Imperial, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Imperial, CA is around January 10. 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 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Imperial, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Imperial is about 351 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 Imperial (351 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 Imperial, CA?
Imperial, 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 Imperial, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 20 and plant out Feb 7 in Imperial. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Imperial?
Two: plant Dec 27 and again by Nov 19; both mature before Jan 17.
When do I plant garlic in Imperial?
Jan 10 to Jan 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Imperial?
Yes: plant out Feb 7 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Sep 10 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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