Indio Fire Stn, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Dec 31
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
361 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 10 Dec 31 Jan 21
First fall frost Jan 13 Dec 27 Dec 8

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the INDIO FIRE STN 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 Indio Fire Stn

Computed from Indio Fire Stn'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 5 – Nov 19 Jan 7 – Jan 14
🫑 Peppers Oct 22 – Nov 5 Jan 14 – Jan 21
🥬 Lettuce Nov 19 – Dec 3 Dec 3 – Dec 17 Dec 3 – Dec 31
🫛 Peas Nov 19 – Dec 3
🥕 Carrots Dec 10 – Dec 31
🥦 Broccoli Nov 12 – Nov 26 Dec 10 – Dec 24
🥬 Kale Nov 19 – Dec 3 Dec 3 – Dec 17 Dec 3 – Dec 17
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 3 – Dec 10 Jan 7 – Jan 14 Jan 7 – Jan 14
🥒 Zucchini Dec 3 – Dec 10 Jan 7 – Jan 14 Jan 7 – Jan 14
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 7 – Jan 14
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 7 – Jan 14
🌿 Basil Nov 19 – Dec 3 Jan 7 – Jan 14 Jan 14 – Jan 21
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 15 – Dec 13

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 Indio Fire Stn's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Indio Fire Stn

With roughly 361 frost-free days, Indio Fire Stn 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 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Indio Fire Stn, CA?

The average last spring frost in Indio Fire Stn is around Dec 31, 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 Indio Fire Stn, CA?

The average first fall frost in Indio Fire Stn arrives around Dec 27. 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 Indio Fire Stn?

About 361 frost-free days on average, from Dec 31 to Dec 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Indio Fire Stn 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.