Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Redlands, CA
Plan your garden around Redlands, CA's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Monthly Temperatures
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | — | Feb 3 – Feb 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 | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | — | Feb 3 – Feb 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 | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | — | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Feb 3 – Feb 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 | Jan 6 – Jan 13 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 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 | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 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 | — | Feb 3 – Feb 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 | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | — | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | — | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jan 27 – Feb 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 | — | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | — | Oct 24 – Nov 7 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | — | Oct 24 – Nov 7 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | — | Oct 10 – Oct 24 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | — | Nov 7 – Nov 14 | 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 6 – Jan 20 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | — | Jan 6 – Jan 13 | Oct 17 – Oct 24 | 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 9 – Dec 23 | — | Jan 13 – Jan 20 | Oct 10 – Oct 17 | 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 9 – Dec 23 | — | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Oct 10 – Oct 24 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | — | Jan 6 – Jan 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 | — | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | — | Sep 26 – Oct 10 | 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 30 – Jan 13 | — | Oct 10 – Oct 24 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | — | Nov 7 – Nov 21 | 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 30 – Jan 13 | — | Oct 10 – Oct 24 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | — | Dec 30 – Jan 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 | — | — | — | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Dec 30 – Jan 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 | — | — | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Dec 30 – Jan 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 | Dec 16 – Dec 23 | — | Feb 3 – Feb 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 | — | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | — | Oct 24 – Nov 7 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | — | Jan 13 – Jan 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 | — | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | — | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | — | Jan 27 – Feb 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 | — | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 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 | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | — | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Dec 30 – Jan 6 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 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 Redlands, CA?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the REDLANDS, CA US station, the last spring frost in Redlands typically falls around January 27. A cautious gardener might wait until February 28 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while December 21 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Redlands, CA in fall?
The first fall frost in Redlands typically arrives around December 19. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as December 1; in milder years it can hold off until January 26.
How long is the growing season in Redlands, CA?
Redlands's average frost-free growing season is about 329 days, running from the typical last spring frost (January 27) to the typical first fall frost (December 19).
What USDA hardiness zone is Redlands, CA in?
Redlands, 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.