Last frost date in Irvine, CA

Average last frost
January 5

Expect the last frost in Irvine around January 5. Frost after February 2 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 25, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 3 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 2
Average first frost
Dec 25
Frost-free season
365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
rare
Next 6 nights in Irvine

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2260°
  2. FriOct 2356°
  3. SatOct 2459°
  4. SunOct 2560°
  5. MonOct 2660°
  6. TueOct 2760°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 5First frost Dec 25365 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND365 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Tustin Irvine Rch, 1.9 miles from Irvine.

Planting calendar for Irvine

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 8–Dec 22
OnionsNov 24–Dec 15
CarrotsDec 15–Jan 19
LettuceDec 22–Jan 12
BroccoliDec 8–Dec 22
BeetsDec 8–Jan 19
PeasNov 24–Dec 8
CabbageDec 8–Dec 22
RadishesDec 1–Jan 12
Brussels sproutsDec 22–Jan 5
SpinachNov 24–Dec 15
CilantroDec 22–Jan 12
KaleDec 8–Dec 22
Collard greensDec 8–Dec 22
TurnipsDec 8–Dec 22
DillJan 5–Jan 19
CeleryJan 12–Jan 19
CauliflowerDec 22–Jan 5
LeeksDec 22–Jan 5
Swiss chardDec 22–Jan 19
ParsleyDec 22–Jan 12
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 8–Dec 22
AsparagusDec 8–Dec 22

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 14Jan 5Feb 2Dec 3Dec 25Jan 20

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 Tustin Irvine Rch (USC00049087) sits 1.9 miles from the center of Irvine at 235 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 Irvine, CA?

The average last frost date in Irvine is January 5, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 2.

When is the first frost in Irvine?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 25. One year in ten it arrives before December 3.

How long is the growing season in Irvine?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Irvine?

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

Nearby in California

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