Frost Dates for Desert Hot Springs, CA
In Desert Hot Springs, CA, the average last spring frost is around Feb 25 and the average first fall frost around Dec 15, for a growing season of about 297 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 3, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Morongo Valley N, CA weather station, 9 miles away, elevation 3,145 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Apr 3 | Nov 23 |
| 20% | Mar 22 | Dec 1 |
| 30% | Mar 11 | Dec 7 |
| 40% | Mar 2 | Dec 11 |
| 50% | Feb 25 | Dec 15 |
| 60% | Feb 14 | Dec 19 |
| 70% | Feb 3 | Dec 24 |
| 80% | Jan 21 | Jan 1 |
| 90% | Jan 7 | Jan 16 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 31 | Dec 1 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 | Dec 15 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 25 | Jan 6 |
Planting calendar for Desert Hot Springs
Transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Transplant Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Sow or transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Sow or transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Sow or transplant Mar 11 – Mar 25
Sow or transplant Jan 28 – Feb 11
Fall sowing Oct 20 – Nov 17
Fall sowing Oct 20 – Nov 10
Fall sowing Oct 6 – Oct 20
Sow or transplant Jan 28 – Feb 11
Fall sowing Oct 6 – Nov 3
Transplant Feb 11 – Feb 25
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 6
Transplant Feb 4 – Feb 18
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 6
Fall sowing Sep 22 – Oct 6
Fall sowing Nov 3 – Nov 24
Fall sowing Oct 6 – Oct 20
Plant Jan 28 – Feb 11
Based on the average last frost (Feb 25) and first frost (Dec 15). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.