Last frost date in El Centro, California
January 3
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by December 15; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after February 4.
December 27
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by December 9.
A 32°F night happens here about 5 years in 10; in those years these are the usual dates.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station El Centro 2 Ssw (USC00042713), 1.3 miles from El Centro, elevation -30 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
This station is also the nearest one for Calexico, so its frost dates are the same as El Centro's.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Dec 15 | Jan 3 | Feb 4 |
| First frost in fall | Dec 9 | Dec 27 | Jan 26 |
Frost-free days in an average year: 363
| Chance in a year | Average last in spring | Average first in fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | 9 years in 10 | Jan 22 | Dec 17 |
| Frost (32°F) | 5 years in 10 | Jan 3 | Dec 27 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | 1 years in 10 | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
Nights at 32°F or colder in an average year: 1.0
What to plant now in El Centro
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Dec 31Now
- BeetsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Broccoli plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Brussels sprouts plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Cabbage plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Chinese cabbageSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- Collards plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- EndiveSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Florence fennelSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- KaleSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- KohlrabiSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- ParsleySept 1 – Dec 31Now
- ParsnipsSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- SalsifySept 1 – Oct 31Now
- Snap beansSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- SorrelSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- TomatoesSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- CarrotsSept 15 – Dec 1Now
- Cauliflower plantsSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- GarlicSept 15 – Nov 15Now
- Head lettuce plantsSept 15 – Dec 31Now
- Leaf lettuceSept 15 – Dec 31Now
- LeeksSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Mustard greensSept 15 – Dec 1Now
- Onion seedSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- ShallotsSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Celery and celeriac plantsOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Corn saladOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- DandelionOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Garden peasOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Onion plants plantsOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- RadishesOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- SpinachOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- TurnipsOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Upland cressOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- RutabagaOct 15 – Nov 15Now
- Chervil and chivesNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
- Onion setsNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
- Fall planting calendar for an average first frost around December 20 El Centro: December 27
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5. How we match the table.
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