Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Lake Elsinore, CA
Plan your garden around Lake Elsinore, 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 28
Safe Feb 27
Typical Jan 28
Risky Dec 24
First Fall Frost
December 18
Safe Dec 1
Typical Dec 18
Risky Jan 24
Growing Season
329 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 ELSINORE, CA US, 2.6 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 | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | — | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | 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 | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | — | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | 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 | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | 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 31 – Jan 7 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — | 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 31 – Jan 7 | — | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | — | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | — | 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 28 – Feb 11 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | — | Oct 23 – Nov 6 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | — | Oct 23 – Nov 6 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | — | Oct 9 – Oct 23 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | — | Nov 6 – Nov 13 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | — | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Oct 16 – Oct 23 | 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 | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | — | Jan 14 – Jan 21 | Oct 9 – Oct 16 | 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 | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | — | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Oct 9 – Oct 23 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | — | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | 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 31 – Jan 14 | — | Sep 25 – Oct 9 | 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 31 – Jan 14 | — | Oct 9 – Oct 23 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | — | Nov 6 – Nov 20 | 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 31 – Jan 14 | — | Oct 9 – Oct 23 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | — | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | — | 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 | — | — | — | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | — | — | 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 | — | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | — | 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 | Dec 17 – Dec 24 | — | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | 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 | — | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | Oct 23 – Nov 6 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | — | Jan 14 – Jan 21 | — | 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 | — | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | — | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | — | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | 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 | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | — | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Dec 31 – Jan 7 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | 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 Lake Elsinore, CA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the ELSINORE, CA US station, the last spring frost in Lake Elsinore typically falls around January 28. A cautious gardener might wait until February 27 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 24 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Lake Elsinore, CA in fall?
The first fall frost in Lake Elsinore typically arrives around December 18. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as December 1; in milder years it can hold off until January 24.
How long is the growing season in Lake Elsinore, CA?
Lake Elsinore's average frost-free growing season is about 329 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 28) to the typical first fall frost (December 18).
What USDA hardiness zone is Lake Elsinore, CA in?
Lake Elsinore, 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.