Frost Dates for Imperial Beach, CA
In Imperial Beach, CA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 6 and the average first fall frost around Dec 31, for a growing season of about 365 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Feb 5, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the San Diego Brown Fld, CA weather station, 8 miles away, elevation 515 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 5 | Dec 11 |
| 20% | Jan 27 | Dec 17 |
| 30% | Jan 17 | Dec 22 |
| 40% | Jan 10 | Dec 27 |
| 50% | Jan 6 | Dec 31 |
| 60% | Dec 31 | Jan 3 |
| 70% | Dec 28 | Jan 8 |
| 80% | Dec 22 | Jan 16 |
| 90% | Dec 13 | Jan 30 |
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) | Feb 2 | Dec 20 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 6 | Dec 31 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — |
Planting calendar for Imperial Beach
Transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Sow or transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Sow or transplant Jan 13 – Jan 27
Sow or transplant Jan 20 – Feb 3
Sow or transplant Dec 9 – Dec 23
Fall sowing Nov 5 – Dec 3
Fall sowing Nov 5 – Nov 26
Fall sowing Oct 22 – Nov 5
Sow or transplant Dec 9 – Dec 23
Fall sowing Oct 22 – Nov 19
Transplant Dec 23 – Jan 6
Fall sowing Oct 8 – Oct 22
Transplant Dec 16 – Dec 30
Fall sowing Oct 8 – Oct 22
Fall sowing Oct 8 – Oct 22
Fall sowing Nov 19 – Dec 10
Fall sowing Oct 22 – Nov 5
Plant Dec 9 – Dec 23
Based on the average last frost (Jan 6) and first frost (Dec 31). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.