Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Big Bear City, CA
Plan your garden around Big Bear City, CA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
May 27
Safe Jun 9
Typical May 27
Risky May 6
First Fall Frost
October 4
Safe Sep 21
Typical Oct 4
Risky Oct 20
Growing Season
131 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station BIG BEAR LAKE, CA US, 6.9 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jun 10 – Jun 17 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | May 6 – May 13 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Apr 29 – May 6 | — | Jun 10 – Jun 17 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 29 – May 6 | — | Jun 10 – Jun 17 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 23 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 23 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 9 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Aug 23 – Aug 30 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | May 6 – May 20 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | May 6 – May 13 | Aug 2 – Aug 9 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | May 13 – May 20 | Jul 26 – Aug 2 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jul 12 – Jul 26 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 9 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 6 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 9 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 6 – Sep 20 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | May 6 – May 20 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 23 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 20 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | May 6 – May 20 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | May 27 – Jun 3 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | May 27 – Jun 3 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Big Bear City, CA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the BIG BEAR LAKE, CA US station, the last spring frost in Big Bear City typically falls around May 27. A cautious gardener might wait until June 9 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while May 6 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Big Bear City, CA in fall?
The first fall frost in Big Bear City typically arrives around October 4. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as September 21; in milder years it can hold off until October 20.
How long is the growing season in Big Bear City, CA?
Big Bear City's average frost-free growing season is about 131 days, running from the typical last spring frost (May 27) to the typical first fall frost (October 4).
What USDA hardiness zone is Big Bear City, CA in?
Big Bear City, CA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.