Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 92203 (Indio, 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, Indio Fire STN, CA (3 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 30% 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 frostDec 31 (prior Dec)50% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)year-round in a typical yearmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10a30 to 35°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
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Desert Center (54 mi), Fallbrook 5 NE (59 mi).
4-inch depth
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Desert Center (54 mi), Fallbrook 5 NE (59 mi).
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 92203 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 78°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically 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 15 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
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 15
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 20–Oct 18
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 4–Nov 1
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 20–Oct 18
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 4–Nov 1
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 20–Oct 18
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 20–Oct 18
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 20–Oct 18
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 8–22
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 8–22
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 8–22
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 8–22
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 18–Nov 15
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Tomato: start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 22–Nov 5
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 22–Nov 5
- Tomatillo: start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 1–22
- Lettuce: start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 1–22
- Kale: start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Collards: start seeds indoors Nov 5–19
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 22–Nov 5
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 22–Nov 5
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 22–Nov 5
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 10 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Dec 31 (prior Dec) |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jan 21 |
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 8 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 13 (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 1 | Dec 18 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Dec 31 (prior Dec) | Dec 27 |
| 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 92203
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Dec 31) and first fall frost (Dec 27). 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 5–19 | Jan 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 5–19 | Jan 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 5–19 | Dec 10–31 (transplant) Dec 3–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–22 (transplant) Oct 18–Nov 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 19–Dec 10 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 5–19 | Dec 3–17 (transplant) Dec 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 5–19 | Dec 3–31 (transplant) Dec 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Dec 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 8–22 | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 5–19 | Dec 3–17 (transplant) Dec 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Dec 17–Jan 7 (transplant) Dec 17–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 10–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Nov 26–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Nov 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 8–22 | Nov 19–Dec 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 19–Dec 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 8–22 | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 15–Dec 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 19–Dec 3 (transplant) | Nov 15–Dec 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 3–10 | Jan 7–21 (transplant) Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 3–10 | Jan 7–21 (transplant) Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 3–10 | Jan 7–21 (transplant) Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 3–10 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 3–10 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 8–22 | Jan 7–14 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Jan 7–21 (transplant) Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 17–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 22–Nov 5 | Dec 17–31 (transplant) Dec 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Dec 31–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Dec 31–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 3–17 (transplant) | Oct 18–Nov 15 (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: Indio Fire STN, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00044259), elevation -21 ft, 3.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Resorts Rgnl AP, CA | 10 mi | Feb 7 | Dec 2 |
| Mecca Fire STN, CA | 16 mi | Jan 6 | Dec 22 |
| Palm Springs Rgnl AP, CA | 16 mi | Jan 9 | Jan 9 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 38 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 92203
When is the last frost in 92203?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 92203 is December 31 (prior Dec). For a more cautious planting date, use January 21, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 92203?
The average first fall freeze is December 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 8.
What hardiness zone is 92203?
ZIP 92203 is in USDA zone 10a (30 to 35°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 92203 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
92201 Indio 92211 Palm Desert 92210 Indian Wells 92241 Sky Valley 92253 La Quinta 92276 Thousand Palms 92260 Palm Desert 92236 Coachella
Other ZIP codes in Riverside County
91752 92201 92210 92211 92220 92223 92225 92230 92234 92236 92239 92240 92241 92253 92254 92258 92260 92262 92264 92270 92274 92276 92282 92320 All Riverside County frost dates · California frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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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.