When is the last frost in Escondido, CA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Escondido is around February 2, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the San Pasqual Animal Pk, CA station (2.8 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Escondido?

The average first fall frost in Escondido, CA is around December 7, giving roughly a 309-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Escondido, CA?

Escondido is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 25 to 30°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Escondido?

In Escondido, CA the warmest month is August (avg high 92.8°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 37.6°F). It averages about 13.1″ of precipitation a year.

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Escondido, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9b · ZIP 92027 · elevation 128′ · NOAA & USDA data

Escondido is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (winters can dip to 25 to 30°F), with a growing season of about 309 days between the average last spring frost (February 2) and first fall frost (December 7). The warmest month is August (avg high 92.8°F); the coldest is December (avg low 37.6°F). It averages 13.1″ 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

min temp 25 to 30°F

Last spring frost

February 2

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 7

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

309 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 92.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Escondido

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at San Pasqual Animal Pk, CA (2.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	72.5	39.4	56	2.7
February	72.3	42	57.2	3
March	74.5	44.9	59.7	2
April	77.3	48.5	62.9	0.9
May	79.2	52.9	66.1	0.4
June	84.4	56.3	70.3	0.1
July	89.7	59.5	74.6	0.3
August	92.8	60.3	76.5	0
September	91.1	57.7	74.4	0.1
October	83.9	51.3	67.6	0.5
November	78	43.6	60.8	1.2
December	71.2	37.6	54.4	1.9

What to plant when in Escondido

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 22 · Transplant out: February 9
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 8 · Transplant out: February 16
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 9
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 9
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 9
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 9
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 9
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 29 · Sow (fall): October 12
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): December 22 · Sow (fall): October 12
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): January 5 · Sow (fall): October 12
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 12 · Sow (fall): September 28
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 19
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 12 · Sow (fall): September 28
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): January 5
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 19
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): January 5 · Sow (fall): October 26

Dates are computed from Escondido'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.

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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 — San Pasqual Animal Pk, CA, 2.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: San Pasqual Animal Pk, CA, 2.8 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.