Frost Dates for Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Last spring frost March 20 · First fall frost November 23 · 248 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 93555 has about 33,800 people.
Very long season: 248 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 22–April 14 (51 days). Fall frost risk spans October 31–November 23 (23 days).
Frost probability for 93555
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 14 | March 20 | February 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 31 | November 23 | November 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RANDSBURG (24.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 248-day season in Ridgecrest
In Ridgecrest (248 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 | Feb 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 206 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 3. | Jul 24 |
| Pepper | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 206 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 3. | Jul 29 |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 2 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 290 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 27. | Sep 21 |
| Cucumber | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Peas | — | Jan 23–Apr 3 | 311 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 311 available after Jan 23. | Sep 12 |
| Zucchini | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Onion | Dec 26 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 283 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 23–Mar 13 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 21 |
| Kale | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 283 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 20. | Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 297 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 20. | Sep 21 |
| Radish | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 22 |
| Beets | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 269 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 23 | 353 | overwinter: Plant Nov 23 to Dec 14; harvest the following summer. | Dec 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 13–Apr 10 | 304 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 220 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 27. | Aug 5 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 213 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 3. | Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 262 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 13. | Sep 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 297 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 20. | Aug 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 213 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 3. | Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 3. | Aug 3 |
| Okra | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Basil | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 20–Mar 13 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Parsley | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 248 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 27. | Sep 7 |
| Celery | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 248 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 27. | Jul 19 |
| Scallions | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 1 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 20 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 2 |
| Collards | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 206 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 3. | Jul 19 |
| Chives | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 262 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Oregano | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 262 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 248 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Sage | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 262 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 262 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Cosmos | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Lavender | Dec 26 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 269 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Melons | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 206 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 3. | Jul 19 |
| Mint | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 269 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 227 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 27. | Aug 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 3. | Jul 21 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 234 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 20. | Aug 17 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 213 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 27. | Jul 29 |
| Watermelon | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 27. | Jul 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Zinnias | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
Month by month in Ridgecrest
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 9), Collards (Jan 9), Kale (Jan 9), Oregano (Jan 9), Parsley (Jan 9), Scallions (Jan 9), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 23), Beets (Jan 23), Dill (Jan 23), Peas (Jan 23), Radish (Jan 23), Spinach (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 6), Cauliflower (Feb 6), Marigolds (Feb 6), Pepper (Feb 6), Basil (Feb 13), Tomato (Feb 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 6), Cilantro (Feb 20), Turnip (Feb 20), Carrots (Feb 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 20), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 20), Cabbage (Feb 20), Collards (Feb 20), Kale (Feb 20), Lettuce (Feb 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 13). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 6), Cantaloupe (Mar 6), Melons (Mar 6), Pumpkin (Mar 6), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 6), Watermelon (Mar 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 6), Sunflowers (Mar 20), Beans (Mar 27), Pole Beans (Mar 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 6), Swiss Chard (Mar 6), Bok Choy (Mar 13), Cauliflower (Mar 13), Cosmos (Mar 20), Lavender (Mar 20), +15 more. Last frost around March 20. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 3), Cantaloupe (Apr 3), Cucumber (Apr 3), Eggplant (Apr 3), Melons (Apr 3), Pepper (Apr 3), +6 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 11), Pumpkin (Jul 11), Cantaloupe (Jul 19), Celery (Jul 19), Melons (Jul 19), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 21), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 3), Corn (Aug 5), Sunflowers (Aug 17), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 22), Pole Beans (Aug 22), Basil (Aug 27), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Sep 1), Okra (Sep 1), Yellow Squash (Sep 1), Zucchini (Sep 1), Cauliflower (Sep 2), Beans (Sep 3), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Collards (Oct 1), Scallions (Oct 1), Bok Choy (Oct 2), Lettuce (Oct 2), Kale (Oct 6), Kohlrabi (Oct 6), +4 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 23). First frost around November 23. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 26), Lavender (Dec 26), Onion (Dec 26), Rosemary (Dec 26). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 14). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Ridgecrest, CA (ZIP 93555)?
The median last spring frost date for Ridgecrest, CA (ZIP code 93555) is around March 20. 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 February 22; one in ten it runs past April 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Ridgecrest, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Ridgecrest, CA is around November 23. 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 31 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ridgecrest, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Ridgecrest is about 248 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 Ridgecrest (248 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 Ridgecrest, CA?
Ridgecrest, 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 Ridgecrest, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 13 and plant out Apr 3 in Ridgecrest. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ridgecrest?
Two: plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 30.
When do I plant garlic in Ridgecrest?
Nov 23 to Dec 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Ridgecrest?
Yes: plant out Apr 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 24 for a fall crop.
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