Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 92081 (Vista, 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, Vista, CA (5 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 35% 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 3050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 7 (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
Get The Dial for 92081 (Vista)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 92081, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
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.
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 (19 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 (19 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 92081 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 Mar 17 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 Oct 1–29
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 15–Nov 12
- Collards: fall sowing Oct 1–29
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 15–Nov 12
- Broccoli: fall transplant Oct 1–29
- Cabbage: fall transplant Oct 1–29
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Oct 1–29
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 15–29
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 26
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 7–21
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 12
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 12
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 12
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 12
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 7–21
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 12
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 7–21
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 7–21
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 29–Nov 26
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 20 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 30 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 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 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 7 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Mar 14 (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 16 | Dec 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 30 | Jan 7 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Dec 30 (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 92081
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 30) and first fall frost (Jan 7). 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 | Dec 5–19 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 5–19 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 5–19 | Jan 9–30 (transplant) Jan 2–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 12–Dec 3 (transplant) Oct 29–Nov 26 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 19–Jan 9 (sow outdoors) | Nov 12–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 5–19 | Jan 2–16 (transplant) Jan 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 12 (transplant) Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 5–19 | Jan 2–30 (transplant) Jan 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 12 (transplant) Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | Oct 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | Oct 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) | Oct 1–29 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 7–21 | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 5–19 | Jan 2–16 (transplant) Jan 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 29–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Nov 12–26 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Nov 12–Dec 10 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Nov 12–26 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 16–Feb 6 (transplant) Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 29–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 29–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 9–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 26–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Nov 26–Dec 10 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 29–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 5–Jan 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 7–21 | Dec 19–Jan 2 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 19–Jan 16 (sow outdoors) | Oct 29–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 7–21 | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 26–Dec 24 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 19–Jan 2 (transplant) | Nov 26–Dec 24 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 20–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 2–9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 2–9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 2–9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 2–9 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 2–9 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 7–21 | Feb 6–13 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 12–26 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 21–Dec 5 | Jan 16–30 (transplant) Jan 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Nov 12–26 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 2–16 (transplant) | Oct 29–Nov 26 (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: Vista, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00049378), elevation 430 ft, 4.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanside Muni AP, CA | 7 mi | Jan 23 | Dec 11 |
| Escondido #2, CA | 9 mi | Jan 2 | Dec 30 |
| Camp Pendleton Mcas, CA | 11 mi | Feb 16 | Dec 8 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 45 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 92081
When is the last frost in 92081?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 92081 is January 30. For a more cautious planting date, use March 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 92081?
The average first fall freeze is January 7 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 14.
What hardiness zone is 92081?
ZIP 92081 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 92081 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
92083 Vista 92010 Carlsbad 92056 Oceanside 92008 Carlsbad 92078 San Marcos 92009 Carlsbad 92069 San Marcos 92084 Vista
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
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
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.