Frost Dates for El Centro, CA
In El Centro, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 3 and the average first fall frost around Dec 27, for a growing season of about 363 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Feb 4, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the El Centro 2 Ssw, CA weather station, 1 mile away, elevation -30 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% | Feb 4 | Dec 9 |
| 20% | Jan 25 | Dec 16 |
| 30% | Jan 15 | Dec 21 |
| 40% | Jan 8 | Dec 24 |
| 50% | Jan 3 | Dec 27 |
| 60% | Dec 31 | Dec 31 |
| 70% | Dec 28 | Jan 3 |
| 80% | Dec 23 | Jan 12 |
| 90% | Dec 15 | Jan 26 |
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) | Jan 22 | Dec 17 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 3 | Dec 27 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
Planting calendar for El Centro
Transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Transplant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Transplant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Sow or transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Sow or transplant Jan 10 – Jan 24
Sow or transplant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Sow or transplant Dec 6 – Dec 20
Fall sowing Nov 1 – Nov 29
Fall sowing Nov 1 – Nov 22
Fall sowing Oct 18 – Nov 1
Sow or transplant Dec 6 – Dec 20
Fall sowing Oct 18 – Nov 15
Transplant Dec 20 – Jan 3
Fall sowing Oct 4 – Oct 18
Transplant Dec 13 – Dec 27
Fall sowing Oct 4 – Oct 18
Fall sowing Oct 4 – Oct 18
Fall sowing Nov 15 – Dec 6
Fall sowing Oct 18 – Nov 1
Plant Dec 6 – Dec 20
Based on the average last frost (Jan 3) and first frost (Dec 27). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.