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Coachella, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 10a · ZIP 92236 · elevation -36′ · NOAA & USDA data

Coachella is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (winters can dip to 30 to 35°F), with a growing season of about 298 days between the average last spring frost (February 7) and first fall frost (December 2). The warmest month is July (avg high 106.9°F); the coldest is December (avg low 37.7°F). It averages 3″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone
10a
min temp 30 to 35°F
Last spring frost
February 7
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
December 2
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
298 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 106.9°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Coachella

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Desert Resorts Rgnl Ap, CA (7.3 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 71 39 55 0.6 0
February 74.3 42.9 58.6 0.6 0
March 81.1 49 65 0.3 0
April 87.2 54.8 71 0.1 0
May 94.6 62.9 78.7 0 0
June 103 69.1 86.1 0 0
July 106.9 75.6 91.2 0.1 0
August 106.2 74.9 90.6 0.1 0
September 101.5 68.2 84.8 0.3 0
October 90.9 56.9 73.9 0.2 0
November 78.7 44.7 61.7 0.2 0
December 69.3 37.7 53.5 0.3 0

What to plant when in Coachella

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: December 27 · Transplant out: February 14
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: December 13 · Transplant out: February 21
CucumberswarmDirect sow: February 14
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: February 14
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: February 14
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: February 14
BasilwarmTransplant out: February 14
PeascoolSow (spring): January 3 · Sow (fall): October 7
SpinachcoolSow (spring): December 27 · Sow (fall): October 7
LettucecoolSow (spring): January 10 · Sow (fall): October 7
KalecoolTransplant (spring): January 17 · Sow (fall): September 23
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): January 24
CarrotscoolSow (spring): January 17 · Sow (fall): September 23
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): January 10
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: January 24
RadishescoolSow (spring): January 10 · Sow (fall): October 21

Dates are computed from Coachella's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in California

Indio, CALa Quinta, CAPalm Desert, CACathedral City, CAPalm Springs, CASan Jacinto, CAHemet, CABeaumont, CA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Desert Resorts Rgnl Ap, CA, 7.3 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Desert Resorts Rgnl Ap, CA, 7.3 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.