Last frost date in Riverside, California

January 9

Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by December 16; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after February 25.

December 25

Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by December 1.

A 32°F night happens here about 7 years in 10; in those years these are the usual dates.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Riverside Fire Stn 3 (USC00047470), 0.9 miles from Riverside, elevation 840 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.

What to plant now

Frost dates for Riverside, California
Early yearAverageLate year
Last frost in springDec 16Jan 9Feb 25
First frost in fallDec 1Dec 25Jan 27

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: 353

Planting calendar for Riverside

Fall planting

USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about December 20 (Riverside: December 25).

USDA lists horseradish as generally spring-planted here.

Spring planting

Riverside's average last frost falls outside the dates USDA's planting table covers, so we don't give spring planting dates 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.

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