Frost Dates for Valley Center, CA 92082
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 21 · 175 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 92082 has about 21,700 people.
Moderate season: 175 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 1–May 28 (57 days). Fall frost risk spans October 18–November 9 (22 days).
Frost probability for 92082
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 28 | April 29 | April 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 18 | October 21 | November 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HENSHAW DAM (22.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 175-day season in Valley Center
In Valley Center (175 frost-free days, a moderate 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 | Mar 25 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 8. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 238 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 4. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 210 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 1. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 1. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 280 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 231 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 6. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 13. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 22. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 224 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 1. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 13. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after May 6. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 175 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 175 available after May 6. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 154 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 154 available after May 6. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 140 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 13. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 29. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Valley Center
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), Sage (Mar 4), Swiss Chard (Mar 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 4), Beets (Mar 4), Dill (Mar 4), Peas (Mar 4), Radish (Mar 4), Spinach (Mar 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 25). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Corn (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Okra (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 1), Turnip (Apr 1), Carrots (Apr 8), Potatoes (Apr 15), Sunflowers (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Collards (Apr 1), Kale (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), +12 more. Last frost around April 29. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 6), Pole Beans (May 6). Transplant from: Celery (May 6), Chives (May 6), Corn (May 6), Okra (May 6), Oregano (May 6), Parsley (May 6), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Valley Center, CA (ZIP 92082)?
The median last spring frost date for Valley Center, CA (ZIP code 92082) is around April 29. 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 April 1; one in ten it runs past May 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Valley Center, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Valley Center, CA is around October 21. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Valley Center, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Valley Center is about 175 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 Valley Center (175 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Valley Center, CA?
Valley Center, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (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 Valley Center, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in Valley Center. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Valley Center?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Valley Center?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Escondido (ZIP 92025) has 280 frost-free days, 105 more than Valley Center (ZIP 92082). See Escondido ZIP 92025 frost dates
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