Fall in zone 10bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 90503 (Torrance, CA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Torrance AP, CA (3 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 11% of years (about 1 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 5 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)year-round in a typical yearmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10b35 to 40°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 90503 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring February to March; fall September to October.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: California coastal and valleys. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Feb 24 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 10
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 10
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 17–31
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 17–31
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 17–31
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 17–31
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Parsley: start seeds indoors Oct 31–Nov 14
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Dec 4 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 9 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 24 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Dec 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 5 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 22 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jan 17 | Dec 31 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 9 | Jan 5 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | n/a | n/a |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 90503
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 9) and first fall frost (Jan 5). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 14–28 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 14–28 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 14–28 | Dec 19–Jan 9 (transplant) Dec 12–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–Dec 1 (transplant) Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 28–Dec 19 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–Dec 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 14–28 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) Dec 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (transplant) Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 14–28 | Dec 12–Jan 9 (transplant) Dec 12–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (transplant) Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 17–31 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 14–28 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) Dec 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 12–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–Dec 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 12–Jan 2 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Dec 26–Jan 16 (transplant) Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 12–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 19–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 5–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Nov 24–Dec 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 12–Jan 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 19–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 14–Dec 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 17–31 | Nov 28–Dec 12 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 28–Dec 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 17–31 | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 24–Dec 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 28–Dec 12 (transplant) | Nov 24–Dec 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 15–29 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 12–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 12–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 12–19 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 12–19 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 12–19 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 23–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 17–31 | Jan 16–23 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 28–Dec 12 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 26–Jan 23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 31–Nov 14 | Dec 26–Jan 9 (transplant) Dec 19–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 12–26 (transplant) | Oct 27–Nov 24 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Torrance AP, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00003122), elevation 90 ft, 2.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Gabriel Fire Dept, CA | 22 mi | Jan 4 | Jan 2 (next year) |
| Burbank Valley Pump Plt, CA | 24 mi | Jan 2 | Dec 26 |
| Pasadena, CA | 24 mi | Jan 8 | Jan 7 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 7 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 90503
When is the last frost in 90503?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 90503 is January 9. For a more cautious planting date, use February 24, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 90503?
The average first fall freeze is January 5 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 3.
What hardiness zone is 90503?
ZIP 90503 is in USDA zone 10b (35 to 40°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 90503 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
90277 Redondo Beach 90505 Torrance 90504 Torrance 90501 Torrance 90278 Redondo Beach 90254 Hermosa Beach 90260 Lawndale 90506 Alondra Park
Other ZIP codes in Los Angeles County
90001 90002 90003 90004 90005 90006 90007 90008 90010 90011 90012 90013 90014 90015 90016 90017 90018 90019 90020 90021 90022 90023 90024 90025 All Los Angeles County frost dates · California frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.