Lake Elsinore, CA planting zone & frost dates
Lake Elsinore is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 28 and the first fall frost around December 18, for a growing season of about 329 days.
Planting calendar for Lake Elsinore
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 28) 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: Dec 3 – Dec 17 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 19 – Dec 3 Transplant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 17 – Dec 31 Transplant outdoors: Feb 4 – Feb 11 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 23 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 18).
Useful for zone 9b 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
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 24 | Jan 28 | Feb 27 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 24 | Dec 18 | Dec 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 27, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 1.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Lake Elsinore
- 92530 zone 10a
- 92531 zone 9b
- 92532 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- Lakeland Village zone 10a, last frost Jan 28
- Canyon Lake zone 9b, last frost Jan 28
- Wildomar zone 9b, last frost Jan 28
- Perris zone 9b, last frost Jan 28
- Murrieta zone 9b
- Mead Valley zone 9b, last frost Jan 9
- Menifee zone 9b, last frost Jan 31
- Woodcrest zone 9b, last frost Jan 9
Questions
What growing zone is Lake Elsinore, CA?
Lake Elsinore is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 10a.
When is the last frost in Lake Elsinore?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Lake Elsinore is January 28. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 27.
When can I plant tomatoes in Lake Elsinore?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 4 – Feb 11. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Elsinore, CA (USC00042805), 2.6 km (1.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 386 m, based on 19 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.