Frost Dates for Winchester, CA 92596
Last spring frost March 19 · First fall frost November 29 · 255 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 92596 has about 39,000 people.
Very long season: 255 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 11–April 23 (71 days). Fall frost risk spans November 5–December 22 (47 days).
Frost probability for 92596
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 23 | March 19 | February 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 5 | November 29 | December 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BEAUMONT #2 (31.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 255-day season in Winchester
In Winchester (255 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 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 2. | Jul 30 |
| Pepper | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 213 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 2. | Aug 4 |
| Lettuce | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Feb 26 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 297 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 26. | Sep 27 |
| Cucumber | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Beans | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Peas | — | Jan 22–Apr 2 | 318 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 318 available after Jan 22. | Sep 18 |
| Zucchini | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Onion | Dec 25 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 290 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 22–Mar 12 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Kale | Jan 8 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 290 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 19. | Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 304 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 19. | Sep 27 |
| Radish | — | Jan 22–Apr 16 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 28 |
| Beets | — | Jan 22–Apr 16 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 276 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 276 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 29 | 360 | overwinter: Plant Nov 29 to Dec 20; harvest the following summer. | Dec 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 12–Apr 9 | 311 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 19 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 227 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 26. | Aug 11 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 2 | 220 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 2. | Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 269 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 12. | Sep 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 5 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 22–Apr 16 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 304 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 19. | Aug 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 220 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 2. | Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 213 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 2. | Aug 9 |
| Okra | Feb 19 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Basil | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 19–Mar 12 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Parsley | Jan 8 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 255 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 26. | Sep 13 |
| Celery | Jan 8 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 255 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 26. | Jul 25 |
| Scallions | Jan 8 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 19 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Collards | Jan 8 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 213 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 2. | Jul 25 |
| Chives | Dec 25 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 269 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 22–Apr 16 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Oregano | Jan 8 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 269 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 25 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 255 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Sage | Jan 22 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 269 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 8 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 269 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Cosmos | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Lavender | Dec 25 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 276 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 276 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Melons | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 213 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 2. | Jul 25 |
| Mint | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 276 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 276 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 234 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 26. | Aug 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 2. | Jul 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 241 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 19. | Aug 23 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 22 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 220 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 26. | Aug 4 |
| Watermelon | Mar 5 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 220 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 26. | Jul 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Zinnias | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
Month by month in Winchester
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 8), Collards (Jan 8), Kale (Jan 8), Oregano (Jan 8), Parsley (Jan 8), Scallions (Jan 8), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 22), Beets (Jan 22), Dill (Jan 22), Peas (Jan 22), Radish (Jan 22), Spinach (Jan 22). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 5), Cauliflower (Feb 5), Marigolds (Feb 5), Pepper (Feb 5), Basil (Feb 12), Tomato (Feb 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 5), Cilantro (Feb 19), Turnip (Feb 19), Carrots (Feb 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 19), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 19), Cabbage (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), Kale (Feb 19), Lettuce (Feb 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 12). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 5), Cantaloupe (Mar 5), Melons (Mar 5), Pumpkin (Mar 5), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 5), Watermelon (Mar 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 5), Sunflowers (Mar 19), Beans (Mar 26), Pole Beans (Mar 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 5), Swiss Chard (Mar 5), Bok Choy (Mar 12), Cauliflower (Mar 12), Cosmos (Mar 19), Lavender (Mar 19), +15 more. Last frost around March 19. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 2), Cantaloupe (Apr 2), Cucumber (Apr 2), Eggplant (Apr 2), Melons (Apr 2), Pepper (Apr 2), +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 17), Pumpkin (Jul 17), Cantaloupe (Jul 25), Celery (Jul 25), Melons (Jul 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 27), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 4), Tomatillos (Aug 4), Eggplant (Aug 9), Corn (Aug 11), Sunflowers (Aug 23), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 28), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 2), Cosmos (Sep 2), Cucumber (Sep 2), Zinnias (Sep 2), Broccoli (Sep 3), Nasturtiums (Sep 7), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 3), Cilantro (Oct 3), Collards (Oct 7), Scallions (Oct 7), Bok Choy (Oct 8), Lettuce (Oct 8), +6 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 29). First frost around November 29. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 25), Lavender (Dec 25), Onion (Dec 25), Rosemary (Dec 25). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 20). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Winchester, CA (ZIP 92596)?
The median last spring frost date for Winchester, CA (ZIP code 92596) is around March 19. 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 11; one in ten it runs past April 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Winchester, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Winchester, CA is around November 29. 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 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Winchester, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Winchester is about 255 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 Winchester (255 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 Winchester, CA?
Winchester, 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 Winchester, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 12 and plant out Apr 2 in Winchester. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Winchester?
Two: plant Feb 19 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6.
When do I plant garlic in Winchester?
Nov 29 to Dec 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Winchester?
Yes: plant out Apr 2 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 30 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Menifee (ZIP 92584) has 266 frost-free days, 11 more than Winchester (ZIP 92596). See Menifee ZIP 92584 frost dates
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