Big Bear City, CA planting zone & frost dates
Big Bear City is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 27 and the first fall frost around October 4, for a growing season of about 131 days.
Planting calendar for Big Bear City
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 27) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 Transplant outdoors: Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 Transplant outdoors: Jun 10 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 Transplant outdoors: Jun 10 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 15 – Apr 29 Transplant outdoors: Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 9 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 4).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | May 6 | May 27 | Jun 9 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 20 | Oct 4 | Sep 21 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after June 9, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 21. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 4.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Big Bear City
- 92314 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Yucaipa zone 9b, last frost Jan 10
- Banning zone 9b, last frost Jan 31
- Lake Arrowhead zone 8a, last frost May 5
- Beaumont zone 9b, last frost Jan 10
- Highland zone 10a, last frost Jan 27
- Redlands zone 10a, last frost Jan 27
- Apple Valley zone 8b, last frost Mar 18
- Yucca Valley zone 9a, last frost Mar 14
Questions
What growing zone is Big Bear City, CA?
Big Bear City is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Big Bear City?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Big Bear City is May 27. There is still a 10% chance of frost until June 9.
When can I plant tomatoes in Big Bear City?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jun 3 – Jun 10. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Big Bear Lake, CA (USC00040741), 6.9 km (4.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 2058 m, based on 28 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.