Mead Valley, CA planting zone & frost dates
Mead Valley is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 9 and the first fall frost around December 25, for a growing season of about 353 days.
Planting calendar for Mead Valley
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 9) 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: Nov 14 – Nov 28 Transplant outdoors: Jan 16 – Jan 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Oct 31 – Nov 14 Transplant outdoors: Jan 23 – Jan 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Oct 31 – Nov 14 Transplant outdoors: Jan 23 – Jan 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Oct 31 – Nov 14 Transplant outdoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Oct 31 – Nov 14 Transplant outdoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Nov 28 – Dec 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Nov 28 – Dec 12 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jan 16 – Jan 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jan 16 – Jan 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jan 16 – Jan 23 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jan 16 – Jan 23 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Nov 28 – Dec 12 Transplant outdoors: Jan 16 – Jan 23 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 30 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 25).
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 16 | Jan 9 | Feb 25 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 27 | Dec 25 | Dec 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 25, 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 December 31.
Nearby cities
- Woodcrest zone 9b, last frost Jan 9
- Perris zone 9b, last frost Jan 28
- Moreno Valley zone 9b, last frost Jan 27
- Canyon Lake zone 9b, last frost Jan 28
- Riverside zone 10a, last frost Jan 9
- Lake Elsinore zone 9b, last frost Jan 28
- Menifee zone 9b, last frost Jan 31
- Rubidoux zone 10a
Questions
What growing zone is Mead Valley, CA?
Mead Valley is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Mead Valley?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Mead Valley is January 9. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 25.
When can I plant tomatoes in Mead Valley?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jan 16 – Jan 23. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Riverside Fire Stn 3, CA (USC00047470), 15.6 km (9.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 256 m, based on 21 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.