Last frost date in Ridgecrest, California
March 11
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by February 18; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after April 9.
November 12
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by October 29.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station China Lake Naf (USW00093104), 4.4 miles from Ridgecrest, elevation 2,230 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Apr 9 |
| First frost in fall | Oct 29 | Nov 12 | Nov 25 |
An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.
Frost-free days in an average year: 244
Planting calendar for Ridgecrest
Fall planting
USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about November 10 (Ridgecrest: November 12).
- CucumbersJune 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Eggplant plantsJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- New Zealand spinachJune 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- OkraJune 1 – Aug 20 (past for this year)
- Peppers plantsJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- SoybeansJune 1 – July 25 (past for this year)
- Summer squashJune 1 – Aug 10 (past for this year)
- Sweet cornJune 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Sweet potatoesJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- TomatoesJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- Black-eyed peasJune 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- SalsifyJune 15 – July 20 (past for this year)
- Winter squashJune 20 – July 20 (past for this year)
- Celery and celeriac plantsJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Lima beansJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Snap beansJuly 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Witloof chicoryJuly 10 – Aug 20 (past for this year)
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)July 15 – 30 (past for this year)
- Florence fennelJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- RutabagaJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- WatermelonJuly 15 – 30 (past for this year)
- PotatoesJuly 25 – Aug 20 (past for this year)
- BeetsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Broccoli plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Brussels sprouts plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- CarrotsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Cauliflower plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- EndiveAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- GarlicAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- KaleAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- ShallotsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Chinese cabbageAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Collards plantsAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Head lettuce plantsAug 15 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- KohlrabiAug 15 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Mustard greensAug 15 – Nov 1Now
- SorrelAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Leaf lettuceAug 25 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Cabbage plantsSept 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- DandelionSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- Garden peasSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- Onion plants plantsSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- ParsleySept 1 – Nov 15Now
- RadishesSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- TurnipsSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- SpinachSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Corn saladOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Onion setsOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Upland cressOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Asparagus plantsDec 1 – Jan 1Soon
USDA lists chervil and chives, horseradish, leeks, parsnips as generally spring-planted here.
Spring planting
USDA dates for places whose average last freeze is about March 10 (Ridgecrest: March 11).
- Asparagus plantsJan 1 – Mar 1
- Corn saladJan 1 – Mar 15
- RadishesJan 1 – Apr 15
- Garden peasJan 15 – Mar 15
- Leaf lettuceJan 15 – Apr 1
- Onion plants plantsJan 15 – Feb 15
- Onion setsJan 15 – Mar 10
- ParsnipsJan 15 – Mar 1
- RutabagaJan 15 – Feb 15
- ShallotsJan 15 – Mar 1
- SpinachJan 15 – Mar 10
- Cabbage plantsJan 25 – Mar 1
- LeeksJan 25 – Mar 1
- Cauliflower plantsFeb 1 – Mar 1
- Chervil and chivesFeb 1 – Mar 1
- Collards plantsFeb 1 – Apr 1
- DandelionFeb 1 – Mar 1
- Head lettuce plantsFeb 1 – 20
- Onion seedFeb 1 – Mar 1
- ParsleyFeb 1 – Mar 10
- PotatoesFeb 1 – Mar 1
- SalsifyFeb 1 – Mar 1
- TurnipsFeb 1 – Mar 1
- CarrotsFeb 10 – Mar 15
- KaleFeb 10 – Mar 1
- KohlrabiFeb 10 – Mar 1
- Mustard greensFeb 10 – Mar 15
- SorrelFeb 10 – Mar 15
- Upland cressFeb 10 – Mar 15
- BeetsFeb 15 – June 1
- Broccoli plantsFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Brussels sprouts plantsFeb 15 – Mar 15
- EndiveFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Florence fennelFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Swiss chardFeb 15 – May 15
- Celery and celeriac plantsFeb 20 – Mar 20
- Sweet cornMar 10 – Apr 15
- Black-eyed peasMar 15 – July 1
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Mar 15 – Apr 15
- CucumbersMar 15 – Apr 15
- Eggplant plantsMar 15 – Apr 15
- Snap beansMar 15 – May 15
- Summer squashMar 15 – May 1
- WatermelonMar 15 – Apr 15
- Lima beansMar 20 – June 1
- New Zealand spinachMar 20 – May 15
- OkraMar 20 – June 1
- TomatoesMar 20 – May 10
- Peppers plantsApr 1 – June 1
- Sweet potatoesApr 1 – June 1
- SoybeansApr 10 – June 30
- Witloof chicoryJune 1 – July 1
USDA lists chinese cabbage, garlic as generally fall-planted here.
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.
Nearby in California
- California City 35 mi · last frost Mar 15
- Tehachapi 55 mi · last frost Apr 28
- Barstow 63 mi · last frost Feb 22
- Lancaster 71 mi · last frost Apr 3
- Arvin 72 mi · last frost Jan 31