Last frost date in Indio, CA

Average last frost
December 31

Expect the last frost in Indio around December 31. Frost after January 21 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 27, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 8 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Jan 21
Average first frost
Dec 27
Frost-free season
365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
rare
Next 6 nights in Indio

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2260°
  2. FriOct 2360°
  3. SatOct 2462°
  4. SunOct 2563°
  5. MonOct 2662°
  6. TueOct 2763°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Dec 31First frost Dec 27365 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND365 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Indio Fire Station, 2.0 miles from Indio.

Planting calendar for Indio

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
TomatoesJan 7–Jan 21
PumpkinsJan 14–Jan 28
SunflowersDec 31–Jan 21
CucumbersJan 14–Jan 21
CornJan 7–Jan 21
Sweet potatoesJan 21–Feb 4
WatermelonJan 14–Jan 28
Green beansJan 7–Jan 28
ZucchiniJan 7–Jan 21
OkraJan 21–Feb 4
PeppersJan 14–Jan 28
BasilJan 7–Jan 21
Butternut squashJan 7–Jan 21
CantaloupeJan 14–Jan 28
EggplantJan 14–Jan 28
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesDec 3–Dec 17
OnionsNov 19–Dec 10
CarrotsDec 10–Jan 14
LettuceDec 17–Jan 7
BroccoliDec 3–Dec 17
BeetsDec 3–Jan 14
PeasNov 19–Dec 3
CabbageDec 3–Dec 17
RadishesNov 26–Jan 7
Brussels sproutsDec 17–Dec 31
SpinachNov 19–Dec 10
CilantroDec 17–Jan 7
KaleDec 3–Dec 17
Collard greensDec 3–Dec 17
TurnipsDec 3–Dec 17
DillDec 31–Jan 14
CeleryJan 7–Jan 14
CauliflowerDec 17–Dec 31
LeeksDec 17–Dec 31
Swiss chardDec 17–Jan 14
ParsleyDec 17–Jan 7
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 3–Dec 17
AsparagusDec 3–Dec 17

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 10Dec 31Jan 21Dec 8Dec 27Jan 13

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 Indio Fire Station (USC00044259) sits 2.0 miles from the center of Indio at -21 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 Indio, CA?

The average last frost date in Indio is December 31, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after January 21.

When is the first frost in Indio?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 27. One year in ten it arrives before December 8.

How long is the growing season in Indio?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Indio?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from January 7 to January 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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