Barstow, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Barstow garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 22
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
274 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 29 Feb 22 Mar 24
First fall frost Dec 8 Nov 23 Nov 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 30 · first Dec 6

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BARSTOW station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Barstow

Computed from Barstow's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 28 – Jan 11 Mar 1 – Mar 8
🫑 Peppers Dec 14 – Dec 28 Mar 8 – Mar 15
🥬 Lettuce Jan 11 – Jan 25 Jan 25 – Feb 8 Jan 25 – Feb 22
🫛 Peas Jan 11 – Jan 25
🥕 Carrots Feb 1 – Feb 22
🥦 Broccoli Jan 4 – Jan 18 Feb 1 – Feb 15
🥬 Kale Jan 11 – Jan 25 Jan 25 – Feb 8 Jan 25 – Feb 8
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 25 – Feb 1 Mar 1 – Mar 8 Mar 1 – Mar 8
🥒 Zucchini Jan 25 – Feb 1 Mar 1 – Mar 8 Mar 1 – Mar 8
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 1 – Mar 8
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 1 – Mar 8
🌿 Basil Jan 11 – Jan 25 Mar 1 – Mar 8 Mar 8 – Mar 15
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 12 – Nov 9

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Barstow's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Barstow

With roughly 274 frost-free days, Barstow gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 23 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Barstow, CA?

The average last spring frost in Barstow is around Feb 22, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Barstow, CA?

The average first fall frost in Barstow arrives around Nov 23. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Barstow?

About 274 frost-free days on average, from Feb 22 to Nov 23. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Barstow in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.