Fall in zone 10bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 92648 (Huntington Beach, 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, Tustin Irvine Rch, CA (15 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 50% of years (about 2 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 550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2550% 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
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Fallbrook 5 NE (50 mi).
4-inch depth
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Fallbrook 5 NE (50 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 92648 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 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 16–Nov 13
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 2–30
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 2–30
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 16–Nov 13
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 30–Nov 20
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 20
- 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 30–Nov 13
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 27
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 13
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 30–Nov 13
- 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 14 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 5 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 2 |
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) | Dec 25 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 20 (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 1 | Dec 13 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 5 | Dec 25 |
| 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 92648
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 5) and first fall frost (Dec 25). 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 28–Sep 25 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 4–25 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 4–25 (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 30–Nov 20 (transplant) Oct 16–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 24–Dec 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 20 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) Dec 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–30 (transplant) Sep 18–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–Jan 5 (transplant) Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–30 (transplant) Sep 18–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 22–Jan 5 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 13–27 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 4–25 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) Dec 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 27 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Dec 22–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 1–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Nov 13–27 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 10–Dec 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 13–27 | Nov 24–Dec 8 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 24–Dec 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 13–27 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 13–Dec 11 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 24–Dec 8 (transplant) | Nov 13–Dec 11 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 4–18 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (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) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 8–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (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 30–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 22–Jan 5 (transplant) Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 30–Nov 13 (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 16–Nov 13 (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: Tustin Irvine Rch, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00049087), elevation 235 ft, 15.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Beach, CA | 16 mi | Jan 6 | Jan 2 (next year) |
| Torrance AP, CA | 21 mi | Jan 9 | Jan 5 (next year) |
| San Gabriel Fire Dept, CA | 28 mi | Jan 4 | Jan 2 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 5 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 92648
When is the last frost in 92648?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 92648 is January 5. For a more cautious planting date, use February 2, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 92648?
The average first fall freeze is December 25. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 3.
What hardiness zone is 92648?
ZIP 92648 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 92648 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
92646 Huntington Beach 92647 Huntington Beach 92649 Huntington Beach 92708 Fountain Valley 90742 Huntington Beach 92655 Midway City 92683 Westminster 92627 Costa Mesa
Other ZIP codes in Orange County
90620 90621 90623 90630 90631 90680 90720 90740 90742 90743 92602 92603 92604 92606 92610 92612 92614 92617 92618 92620 92624 92625 92626 92627 All Orange County frost dates · California frost dates
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- 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.