Escondido #2, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Escondido #2 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jan 2
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 30
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
362 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 10b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 14 Jan 2 Feb 4
First fall frost Jan 29 Dec 30 Dec 8

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ESCONDIDO #2 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 Escondido #2

Computed from Escondido #2's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-10 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Nov 7 – Nov 21 Jan 9 – Jan 16
🫑 Peppers Oct 24 – Nov 7 Jan 16 – Jan 23
🥬 Lettuce Nov 21 – Dec 5 Dec 5 – Dec 19 Dec 5 – Jan 2
🫛 Peas Nov 21 – Dec 5
🥕 Carrots Dec 12 – Jan 2
🥦 Broccoli Nov 14 – Nov 28 Dec 12 – Dec 26
🥬 Kale Nov 21 – Dec 5 Dec 5 – Dec 19 Dec 5 – Dec 19
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 5 – Dec 12 Jan 9 – Jan 16 Jan 9 – Jan 16
🥒 Zucchini Dec 5 – Dec 12 Jan 9 – Jan 16 Jan 9 – Jan 16
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 9 – Jan 16
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 9 – Jan 16
🌿 Basil Nov 21 – Dec 5 Jan 9 – Jan 16 Jan 16 – Jan 23
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 18 – Dec 16

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 Escondido #2's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Escondido #2

With roughly 362 frost-free days, Escondido #2 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 Dec 30 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Escondido #2, CA?

The average last spring frost in Escondido #2 is around Jan 2, 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 Escondido #2, CA?

The average first fall frost in Escondido #2 arrives around Dec 30. 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 Escondido #2?

About 362 frost-free days on average, from Jan 2 to Dec 30. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Escondido #2 in?

USDA zone 10b 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.