Yucca Valley, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 14
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
259 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 8 Mar 14 Apr 1
First fall frost Dec 12 Nov 28 Nov 10
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 7 · first Dec 8

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the YUCCA VALLEY 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 Yucca Valley

Computed from Yucca Valley'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 Jan 17 – Jan 31 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🫑 Peppers Jan 3 – Jan 17 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🥬 Lettuce Jan 31 – Feb 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 14 – Mar 14
🫛 Peas Jan 31 – Feb 14
🥕 Carrots Feb 21 – Mar 14
🥦 Broccoli Jan 24 – Feb 7 Feb 21 – Mar 7
🥬 Kale Jan 31 – Feb 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 14 – Feb 28
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 14 – Feb 21 Mar 21 – Mar 28 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🥒 Zucchini Feb 14 – Feb 21 Mar 21 – Mar 28 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 21 – Mar 28
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 21 – Mar 28
🌿 Basil Jan 31 – Feb 14 Mar 21 – Mar 28 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 17 – Nov 14

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 Yucca Valley's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Yucca Valley

With roughly 259 frost-free days, Yucca Valley 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 28 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Yucca Valley, CA?

The average last spring frost in Yucca Valley is around Mar 14, 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 Yucca Valley, CA?

The average first fall frost in Yucca Valley arrives around Nov 28. 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 Yucca Valley?

About 259 frost-free days on average, from Mar 14 to Nov 28. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Yucca Valley 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.