Stovepipe Wells 1 SW, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Stovepipe Wells 1 SW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jan 4
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 22
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
352 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 16 Jan 4 Jan 23
First fall frost Jan 8 Dec 22 Dec 6
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Dec 31 · first Dec 28

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the STOVEPIPE WELLS 1 SW 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 Stovepipe Wells 1 SW

Computed from Stovepipe Wells 1 SW'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 9 – Nov 23 Jan 11 – Jan 18
🫑 Peppers Oct 26 – Nov 9 Jan 18 – Jan 25
🥬 Lettuce Nov 23 – Dec 7 Dec 7 – Dec 21 Dec 7 – Jan 4
🫛 Peas Nov 23 – Dec 7
🥕 Carrots Dec 14 – Jan 4
🥦 Broccoli Nov 16 – Nov 30 Dec 14 – Dec 28
🥬 Kale Nov 23 – Dec 7 Dec 7 – Dec 21 Dec 7 – Dec 21
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 7 – Dec 14 Jan 11 – Jan 18 Jan 11 – Jan 18
🥒 Zucchini Dec 7 – Dec 14 Jan 11 – Jan 18 Jan 11 – Jan 18
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 11 – Jan 18
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 11 – Jan 18
🌿 Basil Nov 23 – Dec 7 Jan 11 – Jan 18 Jan 18 – Jan 25
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 10 – Dec 8

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 Stovepipe Wells 1 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Stovepipe Wells 1 SW

With roughly 352 frost-free days, Stovepipe Wells 1 SW 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 22 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Stovepipe Wells 1 SW, CA?

The average last spring frost in Stovepipe Wells 1 SW is around Jan 4, 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 Stovepipe Wells 1 SW, CA?

The average first fall frost in Stovepipe Wells 1 SW arrives around Dec 22. 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 Stovepipe Wells 1 SW?

About 352 frost-free days on average, from Jan 4 to Dec 22. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Stovepipe Wells 1 SW 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.