Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 92004 (Borrego Springs, 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, Ocotillo Wells 2W, CA (3 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 17% 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 750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 4 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)year-round in a typical yearmedian, 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
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 (61 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 (61 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 92004 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 22 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
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 28–Oct 26
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 9
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 28–Oct 26
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 9
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 15–29
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 15–29
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 15–29
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 15–29
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 29–Nov 12
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 29–Nov 12
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 23
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 29–Nov 12
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 29–Nov 12
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 29–Nov 12
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Parsley: start seeds indoors Oct 29–Nov 12
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 12 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 7 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 7 |
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 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 4 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 4 (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 5 | Dec 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 7 | Jan 4 (next year) |
| 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 92004
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 7) and first fall frost (Jan 4). 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 12–26 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 7–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 12–26 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 12–26 | Dec 17–Jan 7 (transplant) Dec 10–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–30 (transplant) Oct 26–Nov 23 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 26–Dec 17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–30 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 12–26 | Dec 10–24 (transplant) Dec 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–Nov 9 (transplant) Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 12–26 | Dec 10–Jan 7 (transplant) Dec 10–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–Nov 9 (transplant) Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 15–29 | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 12–26 | Dec 10–24 (transplant) Dec 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 10–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 10–31 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Dec 24–Jan 14 (transplant) Dec 24–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 10–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 17–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 3–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Nov 23–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 10–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 17–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 12–Dec 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 15–29 | Nov 26–Dec 10 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 26–Dec 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 15–29 | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 23–Dec 21 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 26–Dec 10 (transplant) | Nov 23–Dec 21 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 14–28 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 28–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 10–17 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 10–17 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 10–17 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 10–17 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 10–17 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Jan 21–Feb 4 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 15–29 | Jan 14–21 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 26–Dec 10 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 24–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 29–Nov 12 | Dec 24–Jan 7 (transplant) Dec 17–Jan 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 10–24 (transplant) | Oct 26–Nov 23 (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: Ocotillo Wells 2W, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00046386), elevation 390 ft, 2.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borrego Desert Park, CA | 14 mi | Jan 10 | Jan 1 (next year) |
| Julian Cdf, CA | 26 mi | Mar 27 | Dec 1 |
| Mecca Fire STN, CA | 26 mi | Jan 6 | Dec 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 83 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 92004
When is the last frost in 92004?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 92004 is January 7. For a more cautious planting date, use February 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 92004?
The average first fall freeze is January 4 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 12.
What hardiness zone is 92004?
ZIP 92004 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 92004 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
92036 Julian 92275 Salton City 92274 Oasis 92066 92254 North Shore 92086 91948 Mount Laguna 91962 Pine Valley
Other ZIP codes in San Diego County
91901 91902 91905 91906 91910 91911 91913 91914 91915 91916 91917 91931 91932 91934 91935 91941 91942 91945 91948 91950 91962 91963 91977 91978 All San Diego 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.