Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 92254 (North Shore, 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, Mecca Fire STN, CA (5 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 70% of years (about 8 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 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)352 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
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 72°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Desert Center (44 mi), Ford Dry Lake (52 mi).
4-inch depth
79°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 75°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Desert Center (44 mi), Ford Dry Lake (52 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 92254 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 79°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 21 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 13–Nov 10
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 14–28
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 14–28
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 14–28
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 14–28
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 10
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 27–Nov 17
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 17
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Parsley: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
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 13 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 6 |
| 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 4 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 22 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 14 (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 28 | Dec 10 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 6 | Dec 22 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 7 | Jan 1 (next year) |
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 92254
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 6) and first fall frost (Dec 22). 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 11–25 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Sep 1–22 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Sep 1–22 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 11–25 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 11–25 | Dec 16–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 9–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 17 (transplant) Oct 13–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 25–Dec 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 17 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 11–25 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) Dec 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) Sep 15–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 11–25 | Dec 9–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 9–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) Sep 15–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 14–28 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 1–22 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 11–25 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) Dec 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 9–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 23–Jan 13 (transplant) Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 9–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 16–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 2–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 16–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 11–Dec 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 14–28 | Nov 25–Dec 9 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 25–Dec 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 14–28 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 10–Dec 8 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 25–Dec 9 (transplant) | Nov 10–Dec 8 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 1–15 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 9–16 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 9–16 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 9–16 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 9–16 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 9–16 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 14–28 | Jan 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) Jan 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 16–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (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: Mecca Fire STN, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00045502), elevation -183 ft, 4.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Resorts Rgnl AP, CA | 11 mi | Feb 7 | Dec 2 |
| Indio Fire STN, CA | 17 mi | Dec 31 (prior Dec) | Dec 27 |
| Chiriaco Summit, CA | 18 mi | Feb 5 | Dec 17 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 38 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 92254
When is the last frost in 92254?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 92254 is January 6. 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 92254?
The average first fall freeze is December 22. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 4.
What hardiness zone is 92254?
ZIP 92254 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 92254 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
92274 Oasis 92236 Coachella 92201 Indio 92253 La Quinta 92203 Indio 92210 Indian Wells 92275 Salton City 92211 Palm Desert
Other ZIP codes in Riverside County
91752 92201 92203 92210 92211 92220 92223 92225 92230 92234 92236 92239 92240 92241 92253 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.