Last frost date in El Cajon, California
January 6
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by December 13; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after February 7.
December 21
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 El Cajon (USC00042706), 1.9 miles from El Cajon, elevation 495 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
This station is also the nearest one for La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee, so their frost dates are the same as El Cajon's.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Dec 13 | Jan 6 | Feb 7 |
| First frost in fall | Dec 1 | Dec 21 | Jan 15 |
Frost-free days in an average year: 350
| Chance in a year | Average last in spring | Average first in fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | 10 years in 10 | Feb 6 | Dec 6 |
| Frost (32°F) | 7 years in 10 | Jan 6 | Dec 21 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | 2 years in 10 | Dec 31 | Dec 30 |
Nights at 32°F or colder in an average year: 2.5
What to plant now in El Cajon
- 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 Cajon: December 21
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5. How we match the table.
Nearby in California
- San Diego 10 mi · frost rare
- Chula Vista 12 mi · last frost Jan 6
- Escondido 24 mi · last frost Jan 2
- Encinitas 25 mi · last frost Jan 5
- Vista 31 mi · last frost Jan 30
Updated