Last frost date in Ridgecrest, CA

Average last frost
March 11

The average last frost in Ridgecrest is March 11. By April 9 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 12, which leaves 244 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 29 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 9
Average first frost
Nov 12
Frost-free season
244 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 20
Next 6 nights in Ridgecrest

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2346°
  3. SatOct 2446°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2647°
  6. TueOct 2747°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 11First frost Nov 12244 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND244 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at China Lake Naf, 4.4 miles from Ridgecrest.

Planting calendar for Ridgecrest

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
TomatoesMar 18–Apr 1
PumpkinsMar 25–Apr 8
SunflowersMar 11–Apr 1
CucumbersMar 25–Apr 1
CornMar 18–Apr 1
Sweet potatoesApr 1–Apr 15
WatermelonMar 25–Apr 8
Green beansMar 18–Apr 8
ZucchiniMar 18–Apr 1
OkraApr 1–Apr 15
PeppersMar 25–Apr 8
BasilMar 18–Apr 1
Butternut squashMar 18–Apr 1
CantaloupeMar 25–Apr 8
EggplantMar 25–Apr 8
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 11–Feb 25
OnionsJan 28–Feb 18
CarrotsFeb 18–Mar 25
LettuceFeb 25–Mar 18
BroccoliFeb 11–Feb 25
BeetsFeb 11–Mar 25
PeasJan 28–Feb 11
CabbageFeb 11–Feb 25
RadishesFeb 4–Mar 18
Brussels sproutsFeb 25–Mar 11
SpinachJan 28–Feb 18
CilantroFeb 25–Mar 18
KaleFeb 11–Feb 25
Collard greensFeb 11–Feb 25
TurnipsFeb 11–Feb 25
DillMar 11–Mar 25
CeleryMar 18–Mar 25
CauliflowerFeb 25–Mar 11
LeeksFeb 25–Mar 11
Swiss chardFeb 25–Mar 25
ParsleyFeb 25–Mar 18
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 29–Dec 3
GarlicOct 22–Nov 26
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 26
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 11–Feb 25
AsparagusFeb 11–Feb 25

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 18Mar 11Apr 9Oct 29Nov 12Nov 25
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 29Feb 20Mar 9Nov 6Nov 23Dec 6

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 China Lake Naf (USW00093104) sits 4.4 miles from the center of Ridgecrest at 2,230 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 Ridgecrest, CA?

The average last frost date in Ridgecrest is March 11, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 9.

When is the first frost in Ridgecrest?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 12. One year in ten it arrives before October 29.

How long is the growing season in Ridgecrest?

About 244 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Ridgecrest?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 18 to April 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in California

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