Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 92066 (San Diego County, 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, Borrego Desert Park, CA (8 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 45% 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 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 1 (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 zone9a20 to 25°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 (41 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 (41 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 92066 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 25 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 25–Oct 23
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 9–Nov 6
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 25–Oct 23
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 9–Nov 6
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 25–Oct 23
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 25–Oct 23
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 25–Oct 23
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 18–Nov 1
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 18–Nov 1
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 18–Nov 1
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 9–23
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 18–Nov 1
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 23–Nov 20
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 6–27
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 6–27
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Nov 1–15
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 23–Nov 6
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Nov 6–20
- Arugula: fall sowing Nov 6–Dec 4
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Nov 6–20
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 10 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 16 |
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 8 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 1 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 11 (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 3 | Dec 19 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 10 | Jan 1 (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 92066
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 10) and first fall frost (Jan 1). 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 15–29 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 1–15 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 1–15 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 15–29 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 15–29 | Dec 20–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 13–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–27 (transplant) Oct 23–Nov 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 29–Dec 20 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 15–29 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) Dec 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (transplant) Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 15–29 | Dec 13–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 13–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–Nov 6 (transplant) Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 1–15 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 1–15 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 1–15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 18–Nov 1 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 15–29 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) Dec 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 13–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–Dec 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 13–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Dec 27–Jan 17 (transplant) Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 13–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 20–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 6–Jan 17 (sow outdoors) | Nov 20–Dec 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 13–Jan 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 20–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 15–Dec 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 18–Nov 1 | Nov 29–Dec 13 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 29–Dec 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 23–Nov 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 18–Nov 1 | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 20–Dec 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 29–Dec 13 (transplant) | Nov 20–Dec 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 31–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 13–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 13–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Oct 9–23 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 13–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 13–20 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 13–20 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) Jan 24–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 18–Nov 1 | Jan 17–24 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 29–Dec 13 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) Jan 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 27–Jan 24 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 1–15 | Dec 27–Jan 10 (transplant) Dec 20–Jan 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Nov 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 13–27 (transplant) | Oct 23–Nov 20 (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: Borrego Desert Park, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00040983), elevation 810 ft, 8.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Cdf, CA | 10 mi | Mar 27 | Dec 1 |
| Henshaw Dam, CA | 13 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| Cuyamaca, CA | 16 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 27 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 102 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 92066
When is the last frost in 92066?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 92066 is January 10. For a more cautious planting date, use February 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 92066?
The average first fall freeze is January 1 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 8.
What hardiness zone is 92066?
ZIP 92066 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 92066 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
92086 92070 92036 Julian 92065 Ramona 92060 92004 Borrego Springs 91916 Descanso 92539 Anza
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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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.