Ocotillo Wells 2W, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jan 7
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Jan 4
~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 12 Jan 7 Feb 7
First fall frost Feb 4 Jan 4 Dec 12

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the OCOTILLO WELLS 2W 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 Ocotillo Wells 2W

Computed from Ocotillo Wells 2W'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 12 – Nov 26 Jan 14 – Jan 21
🫑 Peppers Oct 29 – Nov 12 Jan 21 – Jan 28
🥬 Lettuce Nov 26 – Dec 10 Dec 10 – Dec 24 Dec 10 – Jan 7
🫛 Peas Nov 26 – Dec 10
🥕 Carrots Dec 17 – Jan 7
🥦 Broccoli Nov 19 – Dec 3 Dec 17 – Dec 31
🥬 Kale Nov 26 – Dec 10 Dec 10 – Dec 24 Dec 10 – Dec 24
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 10 – Dec 17 Jan 14 – Jan 21 Jan 14 – Jan 21
🥒 Zucchini Dec 10 – Dec 17 Jan 14 – Jan 21 Jan 14 – Jan 21
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 14 – Jan 21
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 14 – Jan 21
🌿 Basil Nov 26 – Dec 10 Jan 14 – Jan 21 Jan 21 – Jan 28
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 23 – Dec 21

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 Ocotillo Wells 2W's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Ocotillo Wells 2W

With roughly 362 frost-free days, Ocotillo Wells 2W 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 Jan 4 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Ocotillo Wells 2W, CA?

The average last spring frost in Ocotillo Wells 2W is around Jan 7, 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 Ocotillo Wells 2W, CA?

The average first fall frost in Ocotillo Wells 2W arrives around Jan 4. 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 Ocotillo Wells 2W?

About 362 frost-free days on average, from Jan 7 to Jan 4. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Ocotillo Wells 2W 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.