Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 92243 (El Centro, 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, El Centro 2 SSW, CA (2 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 54% 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 350% 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)363 daysmedian, 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
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 92243 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 18 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 11–25
- 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 11–25
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 11–25
- 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 11–25
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 18–Nov 15
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Tomato: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Tomatillo: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 1–22
- Lettuce: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 1–22
- Kale: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Collards: start seeds indoors Nov 8–22
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 25–Nov 8
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 15 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 3 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 4 |
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 9 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 26 (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 22 | Dec 17 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 3 | Dec 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
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 92243
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 3) 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 8–22 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 8–22 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 8–22 | Dec 13–Jan 3 (transplant) Dec 6–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–22 (transplant) Oct 18–Nov 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 22–Dec 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 8–22 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) Dec 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 8–22 | Dec 6–Jan 3 (transplant) Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (transplant) Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 11–25 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 8–22 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) Dec 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Dec 20–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 6–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 13–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Nov 29–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Nov 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 13–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 8–Dec 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 11–25 | Nov 22–Dec 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 22–Dec 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 11–25 | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 15–Dec 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 22–Dec 6 (transplant) | Nov 15–Dec 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 6–13 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 6–13 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 6–13 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 6–13 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 6–13 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 11–25 | Jan 10–17 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 22–Dec 6 | Jan 10–24 (transplant) Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 25–Nov 8 | Dec 20–Jan 3 (transplant) Dec 13–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 6–20 (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: El Centro 2 SSW, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00042713), elevation -30 ft, 2.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Co AP, CA | 5 mi | Jan 14 | Dec 24 |
| Imperial, CA | 6 mi | Jan 4 | Dec 26 |
| El Centro Naf, CA | 6 mi | Jan 6 | Dec 21 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 92243
When is the last frost in 92243?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 92243 is January 3. For a more cautious planting date, use February 4, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 92243?
The average first fall freeze is December 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 9.
What hardiness zone is 92243?
ZIP 92243 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 92243 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
92231 Calexico 92273 Seeley 92249 Heber 92251 Imperial 92281 Westmorland 92259 Ocotillo 92227 Brawley 92233 Calipatria
Other ZIP codes in Imperial County
92222 92227 92231 92233 92249 92250 92251 92257 92259 92266 92273 92275 92281 92283 All Imperial 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.