Frost dates for El Centro, California
In a typical year, El Centro’s last spring frost lands around Jan 6 and the first fall frost around Dec 21, a growing season of about 349 days. These are odds drawn from 30-year NOAA climate normals, not a promise. USDA zone 10a.
Right now the growing season is open, with about 57 days until the typical first fall frost.
| Odds | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | Dec 14 | Dec 5 |
| 50 percent | Jan 6 | Dec 21 |
| 90 percent | Feb 6 | Jan 12 |
A 10 percent year is an early year, a 90 percent year a late one. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the 90 percent side of the last-frost band.
Soil in El Centro is typically around 73°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.
Plantable now in El Centro
- Radish (Cherry Belle)
- Lettuce (Buttercrunch)
- Pea (Sugar Snap)
- Beet (Detroit Dark Red)
- Spinach (Space)
- Onion (Vidalia)
- Swiss chard (Bright Lights)
- Kale (Lacinato)
Timing comes from the same temperature engine the app uses, run against El Centro’s normals for today.
Common questions
When is the last frost in El Centro, California?
El Centro’s last spring frost falls around January 6 in a typical year. One year in ten it is done by December 14, and one year in ten frost holds on until February 6. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the late side of that band.
When is the first fall frost in El Centro?
The first fall frost arrives around December 21 in a typical year, as early as December 5 in an early year and as late as January 12 in a late one.
How long is the growing season in El Centro?
About 349 days, counted between the typical last spring frost and the typical first fall frost.
What USDA zone is El Centro in?
El Centro is in USDA hardiness zone 10a under the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Dates come from 30-year NOAA climate normals for the nearest reporting station. They describe odds, not a forecast.
Nearby cities
- Yuma, AZ (around Jan 8 to Dec 28)
- Indio, CA (around Dec 31 to Dec 27)
- Chula Vista, CA (around Jan 6 to Dec 31)
- Blythe, CA (around Jan 25 to Dec 12)
- Escondido, CA (around Jan 2 to Dec 30)
Row & Bed is a plant reference built around your garden: your zone, your frost dates, your forecast, and a cited page for every variety in your beds.
Set up your garden