Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 92266 (Palo Verde, 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, Blythe AP, CA (31 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 80% of years (about 3 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.
Station is a bit far
The nearest station with freeze normals is over 40 km away, so dates here may be off by a week or more.
- Average last spring frostJan 550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)347 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
79°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 Ford Dry Lake (33 mi), Desert Center (47 mi), Yuma 27 ENE (49 mi).
4-inch depth
80°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Ford Dry Lake (33 mi), Desert Center (47 mi), Yuma 27 ENE (49 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 92266 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 80°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 20 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 12–Nov 9
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 9
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 26–Nov 16
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 16
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 23
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Parsley: start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
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 5 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 18 |
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 2 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 21 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 18 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 6 | Dec 7 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 5 | Dec 21 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Dec 31 (prior Dec) | Dec 30 |
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 92266
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 5) and first fall frost (Dec 21). 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 10–24 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 24–Sep 21 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 10–24 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 10–24 | Dec 15–Jan 5 (transplant) Dec 8–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 16 (transplant) Oct 12–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 24–Dec 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 16 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) Dec 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–Jan 5 (transplant) Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 22–Jan 5 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 13–27 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) Dec 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 23 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Dec 22–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 1–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 10–Dec 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 13–27 | Nov 24–Dec 8 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 24–Dec 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 13–27 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 9–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 24–Dec 8 (transplant) | Nov 9–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 26–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 8–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 8–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 8–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 8–15 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 8–15 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 13–27 | Jan 12–19 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 22–Jan 5 (transplant) Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Oct 12–Nov 9 (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: Blythe AP, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00023158), elevation 395 ft, 31.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blythe, CA | 34 mi | Jan 25 | Dec 12 |
| Yuma Quartermaster Depot, AZ | 37 mi | Jan 8 | Dec 28 |
| Ehrenberg 2 E, AZ | 38 mi | Jan 4 | Dec 19 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 21 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 92266
When is the last frost in 92266?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 92266 is January 5. For a more cautious planting date, use February 18, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 92266?
The average first fall freeze is December 21. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 2.
What hardiness zone is 92266?
ZIP 92266 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 92266 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
85328 Cibola 92283 Winterhaven 92227 Brawley 92250 Holtville 92233 Calipatria 92222 92257 Bombay Beach 85364 Yuma
Other ZIP codes in Imperial County
92222 92227 92231 92233 92243 92249 92250 92251 92257 92259 92273 92275 92281 92283 All Imperial County frost dates · California frost dates
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