Frost Dates for Lancaster, CA 93536
Last spring frost April 3 · First fall frost November 19 · 230 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 93536 has about 73,400 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Lancaster.
Long season: 230 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 5–May 5 (61 days). Fall frost risk spans October 30–December 9 (40 days).
Frost probability for 93536
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 5 | April 3 | March 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 30 | November 19 | December 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PALMDALE (32.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 230-day season in Lancaster
In Lancaster (230 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 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 17. | Jul 20 |
| Pepper | Feb 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 188 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 17. | Jul 25 |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 28 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 272 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 13. | Sep 17 |
| Cucumber | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Peas | — | Feb 6–Apr 17 | 293 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 6. | Sep 8 |
| Zucchini | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Onion | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 265 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 6–Mar 27 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 17 |
| Kale | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 265 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 279 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 279 available after Mar 6. | Sep 17 |
| Radish | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Oct 18 |
| Beets | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 19 | 335 | overwinter: Plant Nov 19 to Dec 10; harvest the following summer. | Dec 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 27–Apr 24 | 286 | 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 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 10. | Aug 1 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 17. | Jul 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 244 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 27. | Aug 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 20 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 279 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 279 available after Mar 6. | Aug 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 17. | Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 17. | Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Basil | Feb 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 6–Mar 27 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Parsley | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 10. | Sep 3 |
| Celery | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 230 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 10. | Jul 15 |
| Scallions | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 10. | Sep 27 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 28 |
| Collards | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 10. | Sep 27 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 188 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 17. | Jul 15 |
| Chives | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Oregano | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 244 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 244 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 230 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Sage | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 244 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 244 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Cosmos | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Lavender | Jan 9 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Melons | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 188 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 17. | Jul 15 |
| Mint | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 209 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 10. | Aug 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 195 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 17. | Jul 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 216 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 3. | Aug 13 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 10. | Jul 25 |
| Watermelon | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 10. | Jul 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Zinnias | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
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 | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 7), Pumpkin (Jul 7), Cantaloupe (Jul 15), Celery (Jul 15), Melons (Jul 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 17), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Corn (Aug 1), Sunflowers (Aug 13), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 18), Pole Beans (Aug 18), Basil (Aug 23), Cosmos (Aug 23), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Sep 2), Parsley (Sep 3), Peas (Sep 8), Cabbage (Sep 17), Carrots (Sep 17), Beets (Sep 18), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Kale (Oct 2), Kohlrabi (Oct 2), Turnip (Oct 7), Arugula (Oct 17), Spinach (Oct 17), Radish (Oct 18). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 19). First frost around November 19. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 10). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Lancaster, CA (ZIP 93536)?
The median last spring frost date for Lancaster, CA (ZIP code 93536) 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 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Lancaster, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Lancaster, CA is around November 19. 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 30 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 230 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 (230 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 28; both mature before Nov 26.
When do I plant garlic in Lancaster?
Nov 19 to Dec 10; 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 20 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Valencia (ZIP 91354) has 243 frost-free days, 13 more than Lancaster (ZIP 93536). See Valencia ZIP 91354 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Rosamond, CA 93560 (8.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Palmdale, CA 93551 (14.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Valencia, CA 91354 (22.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Castaic, CA 91384 (22.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Santa Clarita, CA 91350 (23.2 mi)
- When to plant in CA
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- When to plant Butternut Squash in CA
- When to plant Basil in CA
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- Look up another ZIP