Frost Dates for Lancaster, CA 93535
Last spring frost April 3 · First fall frost November 9 · 220 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 93535 has about 79,400 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Lancaster.
Long season: 220 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 5–May 2 (58 days). Fall frost risk spans October 22–November 26 (35 days).
Frost probability for 93535
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 2 | April 3 | March 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 22 | November 9 | November 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PALMDALE (21.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Lancaster, CA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93535 | April 3 | November 9 | 8b |
| 93536 | April 3 | November 19 | 8b |
| 93534 | March 25 | November 12 | 8a |
Which crops fit a 220-day season in Lancaster
In Lancaster (220 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 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17. | Jul 10 |
| Pepper | Feb 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17. | Jul 15 |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 262 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 13. | Sep 7 |
| Cucumber | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Peas | — | Feb 6–Apr 17 | 283 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 6. | Aug 29 |
| Zucchini | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Onion | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 255 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 6–Mar 27 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Kale | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 255 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 6. | Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 269 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 6. | Sep 7 |
| Radish | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Oct 8 |
| Beets | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 9 | 325 | overwinter: Plant Nov 9 to Nov 30; harvest the following summer. | Nov 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 27–Apr 24 | 276 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 10. | Jul 22 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 185 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 17. | Jun 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 234 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 27. | Aug 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 20 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 269 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 6. | Aug 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 185 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 17. | Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17. | Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Basil | Feb 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 6–Mar 27 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Parsley | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 220 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 10. | Aug 24 |
| Celery | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 220 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 10. | Jul 5 |
| Scallions | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Collards | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 178 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17. | Jul 5 |
| Chives | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Oregano | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 234 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 220 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Sage | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 234 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Cosmos | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Lavender | Jan 9 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Melons | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 178 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17. | Jul 5 |
| Mint | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 199 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 10. | Aug 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 17. | Jul 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 3. | Aug 3 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 185 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 10. | Jul 15 |
| Watermelon | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 10. | Jul 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Zinnias | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
Month by month in Lancaster
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 9), Lavender (Jan 9), Onion (Jan 9), Rosemary (Jan 9), Celery (Jan 23), Collards (Jan 23), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 6), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 6), Cabbage (Feb 6), Lettuce (Feb 6), Sage (Feb 6), Swiss Chard (Feb 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 6), Beets (Feb 6), Dill (Feb 6), Peas (Feb 6), Radish (Feb 6), Spinach (Feb 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 6), Corn (Mar 6), Cosmos (Mar 6), Nasturtiums (Mar 6), Okra (Mar 6), Zinnias (Mar 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 6), Turnip (Mar 6), Carrots (Mar 13), Potatoes (Mar 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Collards (Mar 6), Kale (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 3), Beans (Apr 10), Pole Beans (Apr 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 3), Lavender (Apr 3), Marigolds (Apr 3), Mint (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +23 more. Last frost around April 3. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 27), Pumpkin (Jun 27). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 5), Celery (Jul 5), Melons (Jul 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 7), Tomato (Jul 10), Watermelon (Jul 10), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 3), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 8), Pole Beans (Aug 8), Basil (Aug 13), Cosmos (Aug 13), Cucumber (Aug 13), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 7), Carrots (Sep 7), Beets (Sep 8), Dill (Sep 8), Swiss Chard (Sep 8), Calendula (Sep 13), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 7), Spinach (Oct 7), Radish (Oct 8). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 9). First frost around November 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 30). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Lancaster, CA (ZIP 93535)?
The median last spring frost date for Lancaster, CA (ZIP code 93535) is around April 3. 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 March 5; one in ten it runs past May 2.
What is the first fall frost date in Lancaster, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Lancaster, CA is around November 9. 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 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Lancaster is about 220 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 Lancaster (220 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 Lancaster, CA?
Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 27 and plant out Apr 17 in Lancaster. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lancaster?
Two: plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16.
When do I plant garlic in Lancaster?
Nov 9 to Nov 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Lancaster?
Yes: plant out Apr 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 10 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Palmdale (ZIP 93551) has 228 frost-free days, 8 more than Lancaster (ZIP 93535). See Palmdale ZIP 93551 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Littlerock, CA 93543 (15.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Palmdale, CA 93551 (20.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Adelanto, CA 92301 (21.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Palmdale, CA 93550 (23.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Phelan, CA 92371 (26.9 mi)
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