Last frost date in Colton, CA

Average last frost

January 10

Expect the last frost in Colton around January 10. Frost after February 17 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 2, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 11 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): Feb 17
Average first frost: Jan 2
Frost-free season: 365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: rare

Next 6 nights in Colton

No frost in the next 6 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

ThuOct 2256°
FriOct 2354°
SatOct 2456°
SunOct 2558°
MonOct 2658°
TueOct 2758°

Frost risk through the year at Riverside Citrus Experiment, 6.4 miles from Colton.

Planting calendar for Colton

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across California.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

Warm-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

TomatoesFeb 15–Mar 1

PumpkinsFeb 15–Mar 1

SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8

CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1

CornFeb 15–Mar 1

Sweet potatoesFeb 15–Mar 1

WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1

Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8

ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1

OkraFeb 15–Mar 1

PeppersFeb 15–Mar 1

BasilFeb 15–Mar 1

Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1

CantaloupeFeb 15–Mar 1

EggplantFeb 15–Mar 1

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesDec 13–Dec 27

OnionsNov 29–Dec 20

CarrotsDec 20–Jan 24

LettuceDec 27–Jan 17

BroccoliDec 13–Dec 27

BeetsDec 13–Jan 24

PeasNov 29–Dec 13

CabbageDec 13–Dec 27

RadishesDec 6–Jan 17

Brussels sproutsDec 27–Jan 10

SpinachNov 29–Dec 20

CilantroDec 27–Jan 17

KaleDec 13–Dec 27

Collard greensDec 13–Dec 27

TurnipsDec 13–Dec 27

DillJan 10–Jan 24

CeleryJan 17–Jan 24

CauliflowerDec 27–Jan 10

LeeksDec 27–Jan 10

Swiss chardDec 27–Jan 24

ParsleyDec 27–Jan 17

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15

GarlicOct 15–Nov 30

Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesDec 13–Dec 27

AsparagusDec 13–Dec 27

Frost probabilities

Threshold	Spring, 90% chance later	Spring, 50%	Spring, 10%	Fall, 10% chance earlier	Fall, 50%	Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°F	Dec 20	Jan 10	Feb 17	Dec 11	Jan 2	Feb 7

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Riverside Citrus Experiment (USC00047473) sits 6.4 miles from the center of Colton at 986 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Colton, CA?

The average last frost date in Colton is January 10, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 17.

When is the first frost in Colton?

The first frost in fall usually comes around January 2. One year in ten it arrives before December 11.

How long is the growing season in Colton?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Colton?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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