Frost Dates for Palm Desert, CA 92260
Last spring frost January 10 · First fall frost December 2 · 326 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 92260 has about 30,500 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Palm Desert.
Very long season: 326 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 92260
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 7 | January 10 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | November 18 | December 2 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at INDIO FIRE STN (17.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Palm Desert, CA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92260 | January 10 | December 2 | 10a |
| 92211 | January 10 | December 2 | 10a |
Which crops fit a 326-day season in Palm Desert
In Palm Desert (326 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 6 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 284 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 284 available after Jan 24. | Aug 2 |
| Pepper | Nov 29 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 284 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 284 available after Jan 24. | Aug 7 |
| Lettuce | Nov 15 | Dec 13–Dec 20 | 361 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Carrots | — | Dec 20–Dec 27 | 368 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 368 available after Dec 20. | Sep 30 |
| Cucumber | Dec 20 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Beans | — | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Peas | — | Nov 15–Jan 24 | 389 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 389 available after Nov 15. | Sep 21 |
| Zucchini | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Onion | Oct 18 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 361 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 361 available after Dec 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Nov 15–Jan 3 | 403 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Kale | Nov 1 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 375 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Broccoli | Nov 15 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 361 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 361 available after Dec 13. | Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Nov 15 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 375 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 375 available after Dec 13. | Sep 30 |
| Radish | — | Nov 15–Feb 7 | 389 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 31 |
| Beets | — | Nov 15–Feb 7 | 389 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Dec 27–Jan 3 | 347 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 347 available after Dec 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 2 | 431 | overwinter: Plant Dec 2 to Dec 23; harvest the following summer. | Dec 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Dec 6–Jan 31 | 382 | perennial: A perennial: plant Dec 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Dec 13 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 298 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 298 available after Jan 17. | Aug 14 |
| Pumpkin | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 24 | 291 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 291 available after Jan 24. | Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Nov 29 | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 340 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 3. | Sep 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Nov 15 | Dec 27–Dec 27 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Arugula | — | Nov 15–Feb 7 | 403 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Nov 15 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 375 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 375 available after Dec 13. | Aug 31 |
| Butternut Squash | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 291 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 291 available after Jan 24. | Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Nov 22 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 284 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 284 available after Jan 24. | Aug 12 |
| Okra | Dec 13 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Basil | Dec 6 | Jan 31–Jan 31 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Dec 13–Jan 3 | 361 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Parsley | Nov 1 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 326 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 17. | Sep 16 |
| Celery | Nov 1 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 326 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 17. | Jul 28 |
| Scallions | Nov 1 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 375 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Turnip | — | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 375 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Nov 29–Dec 13 | 389 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 29 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Bok Choy | Dec 13 | Jan 3–Jan 10 | 340 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Collards | Nov 1 | Dec 13–Dec 27 | 375 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 284 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 284 available after Jan 24. | Jul 28 |
| Chives | Oct 18 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 340 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Nov 15–Feb 7 | 389 | two-plantings: Plant Nov 15 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Oregano | Nov 1 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 340 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Oct 18 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 326 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Sage | Nov 15 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 340 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 1 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 340 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 340 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Calendula | Nov 29 | Dec 27–Jan 10 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 27 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Cosmos | Dec 13 | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Lavender | Oct 18 | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 347 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 347 available after Jan 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Nov 29 | Jan 10–Jan 17 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Melons | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 284 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 284 available after Jan 24. | Jul 28 |
| Mint | — | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 347 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 347 available after Jan 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Dec 13 | Jan 10–Jan 17 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 305 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 305 available after Jan 17. | Aug 31 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Jan 24. | Jul 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 312 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 312 available after Jan 10. | Aug 26 |
| Tomatillos | Nov 15 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 291 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 291 available after Jan 17. | Aug 7 |
| Watermelon | Dec 27 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 291 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 291 available after Jan 17. | Aug 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Dec 27 | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Zinnias | Dec 13 | Jan 10–Jan 24 | 312 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
Month by month in Palm Desert
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jan 10), Beans (Jan 17), Pole Beans (Jan 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Jan 3), Cauliflower (Jan 3), Cosmos (Jan 10), Lavender (Jan 10), Marigolds (Jan 10), Mint (Jan 10), +25 more. Last frost around January 10. |
| February | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| 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 | Start indoors: Chives (Oct 18), Lavender (Oct 18), Onion (Oct 18), Rosemary (Oct 18). 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: Celery (Nov 1), Collards (Nov 1), Kale (Nov 1), Oregano (Nov 1), Parsley (Nov 1), Scallions (Nov 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Nov 15), Beets (Nov 15), Dill (Nov 15), Peas (Nov 15), Radish (Nov 15), Spinach (Nov 15), +1 more. |
| December | Start indoors: Basil (Dec 6), Tomato (Dec 6), Bok Choy (Dec 13), Corn (Dec 13), Cosmos (Dec 13), Nasturtiums (Dec 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 2), Cilantro (Dec 13), Turnip (Dec 13), Carrots (Dec 20), Potatoes (Dec 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Dec 13), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 13), Cabbage (Dec 13), Collards (Dec 13), Kale (Dec 13), Lettuce (Dec 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Dec 6). First frost around December 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 23). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Palm Desert, CA (ZIP 92260)?
The median last spring frost date for Palm Desert, CA (ZIP code 92260) is around January 10. 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 Palm Desert, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Palm Desert, 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Palm Desert, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Palm Desert is about 326 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 Palm Desert (326 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 Palm Desert, CA?
Palm Desert, 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 Palm Desert, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Dec 6 and plant out Jan 24 in Palm Desert. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Palm Desert?
Two: plant Dec 13 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9.
When do I plant garlic in Palm Desert?
Dec 2 to Dec 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Palm Desert?
Yes: plant out Jan 24 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 2 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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