Frost Dates for Hawthorne, CA
In Hawthorne, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 9 and the average first fall frost around Jan 5, for a growing season of about 365 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Feb 24, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Torrance Airport, CA weather station, 8 miles away, elevation 90 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 24 | Dec 3 |
| 20% | Feb 16 | Dec 10 |
| 30% | Jan 27 | Dec 16 |
| 40% | Jan 20 | Dec 27 |
| 50% | Jan 9 | Jan 5 |
| 60% | Jan 1 | Jan 17 |
| 70% | Dec 20 | Jan 25 |
| 80% | Dec 12 | Feb 12 |
| 90% | Dec 4 | Feb 22 |
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 17 | Dec 31 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 9 | Jan 5 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — |
Planting calendar for Hawthorne
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Jan 16 – Jan 30
Sow or transplant Jan 23 – Feb 6
Sow or transplant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Nov 10 – Dec 8
Fall sowing Nov 10 – Dec 1
Fall sowing Oct 27 – Nov 10
Sow or transplant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Fall sowing Oct 27 – Nov 24
Transplant Dec 26 – Jan 9
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Oct 27
Transplant Dec 19 – Jan 2
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Oct 27
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Oct 27
Fall sowing Nov 24 – Dec 15
Fall sowing Oct 27 – Nov 10
Plant Dec 12 – Dec 26
Based on the average last frost (Jan 9) and first frost (Jan 5). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.