Frost Dates for Tehachapi, CA 93581
Tehachapi has 2 ZIP codes. The Tehachapi, CA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 20 · First fall frost November 19 · 244 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 93581 has about 3,190 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Tehachapi.
Very long season: 244 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 20–April 17 (56 days). Fall frost risk spans October 30–December 9 (40 days).
Frost probability for 93581
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 17 | March 20 | February 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 30 | November 19 | December 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MOJAVE (37.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 244-day season in Tehachapi
In Tehachapi (244 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 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jul 20 |
| Pepper | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jul 25 |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 28 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 286 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 27. | Sep 17 |
| Cucumber | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Peas | — | Jan 23–Apr 3 | 307 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 307 available after Jan 23. | Sep 8 |
| Zucchini | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Onion | Dec 26 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 279 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 23–Mar 13 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 17 |
| Kale | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 279 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 20. | Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 293 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 20. | Sep 17 |
| Radish | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Oct 18 |
| Beets | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 265 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 19 | 349 | overwinter: Plant Nov 19 to Dec 10; harvest the following summer. | Dec 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 13–Apr 10 | 300 | 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 | 216 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 27. | Aug 1 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 209 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 3. | Jul 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 258 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 13. | Aug 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 293 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 20. | Aug 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 209 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 3. | Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jul 30 |
| Okra | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Basil | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 20–Mar 13 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Parsley | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 27. | Sep 3 |
| Celery | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 244 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 27. | Jul 15 |
| Scallions | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 10. | Sep 27 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 20 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 28 |
| Collards | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 10. | Sep 27 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 202 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jul 15 |
| Chives | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 23–Apr 17 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Oregano | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 258 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 26 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 244 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Sage | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 258 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 9 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 258 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Cosmos | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Lavender | Dec 26 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 265 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Melons | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 202 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jul 15 |
| Mint | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 265 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 223 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 27. | Aug 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 3. | Jul 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 20. | Aug 13 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 23 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 209 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 27. | Jul 25 |
| Watermelon | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 209 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 27. | Jul 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Zinnias | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
Month by month in Tehachapi
| 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 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 | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 26), Lavender (Dec 26), Onion (Dec 26), Rosemary (Dec 26). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 10). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Tehachapi, CA (ZIP 93581)?
The median last spring frost date for Tehachapi, CA (ZIP code 93581) 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 20; one in ten it runs past April 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Tehachapi, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Tehachapi, 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 Tehachapi, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Tehachapi is about 244 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 Tehachapi (244 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 Tehachapi, CA?
Tehachapi, 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 Tehachapi, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 13 and plant out Apr 3 in Tehachapi. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Tehachapi?
Two: plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 26.
When do I plant garlic in Tehachapi?
Nov 19 to Dec 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Tehachapi?
Yes: plant out Apr 3 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?
Arvin (ZIP 93203) has 274 frost-free days, 30 more than Tehachapi (ZIP 93581). See Arvin ZIP 93203 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Tehachapi, CA 93561 (2.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Arvin, CA 93203 (15.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Lamont, CA 93241 (21.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Rosamond, CA 93560 (21.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Bakersfield, CA 93307 (22.5 mi)
- When to plant in CA
- When to plant Peppers in CA
- When to plant Cucumbers in CA
- When to plant Zucchini in CA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in CA
- When to plant Basil in CA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in CA
- Look up another ZIP