Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Desert Hot Springs, CA
Plan your garden around Desert Hot Springs, CA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
January 9
Safe Jan 29
Typical Jan 9
Risky Dec 29
First Fall Frost
January 9
Safe Dec 23
Typical Jan 9
Risky Jan 29
Growing Season
365 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a
Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.
Data: NOAA station PALM SPRINGS RGNL AP, CA US, 14.9 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 | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | — | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | — | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | 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 | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | — | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Dec 12 – Dec 19 | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | 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 | Dec 19 – Dec 26 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | 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 | Dec 12 – Dec 19 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | — | 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 | Dec 12 – Dec 19 | — | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 12 – Dec 19 | — | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | — | — | 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 | — | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | — | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | — | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | — | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | — | Nov 28 – Dec 5 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | — | Dec 19 – Dec 26 | Nov 7 – Nov 14 | 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 | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | — | Dec 26 – Jan 2 | Oct 31 – Nov 7 | 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 | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | — | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | — | 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 | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | — | Oct 17 – Oct 31 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | — | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | — | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | — | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Oct 31 – Nov 14 | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | — | 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 | — | — | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | — | — | 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 | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | — | 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 | Nov 28 – Dec 5 | — | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | 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 | — | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | — | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | — | Dec 26 – Jan 2 | — | 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 | — | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | — | Jan 9 – Jan 16 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Nov 14 – Nov 28 | — | Jan 9 – Jan 16 | — | 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 | — | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Dec 12 – Dec 19 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | — | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Dec 12 – Dec 19 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | 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 Desert Hot Springs, CA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the PALM SPRINGS RGNL AP, CA US station, the last spring frost in Desert Hot Springs typically falls around January 9. A cautious gardener might wait until January 29 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 29 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Desert Hot Springs, CA in fall?
The first fall frost in Desert Hot Springs typically arrives around January 9. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as December 23; in milder years it can hold off until January 29.
How long is the growing season in Desert Hot Springs, CA?
Desert Hot Springs's average frost-free growing season is about 365 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 9) to the typical first fall frost (January 9).
What USDA hardiness zone is Desert Hot Springs, CA in?
Desert Hot Springs, CA is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.