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Lancaster, CA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 93534 · elevation 713′ · NOAA & USDA data

Lancaster is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 211 days between the average last spring frost (April 3) and first fall frost (November 1). The warmest month is August (avg high 97.8°F); the coldest is December (avg low 29.7°F). It averages 6.8″ 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
8a
min temp 10 to 15°F
Last spring frost
April 3
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
November 1
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
211 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
August
avg high 97.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Lancaster

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Lancaster Wm J Fox Fld, CA (3.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 58.7 31.3 45 1.5
February 61.5 34.5 48 1.8
March 67.2 39.8 53.5 1
April 72.9 44.9 58.9 0.4
May 81.6 53.4 67.5 0.1
June 91.3 61.5 76.4 0.1
July 97.6 67.2 82.4 0.1
August 97.8 64.7 81.3 0
September 91.4 56.9 74.2 0.1
October 80 45.8 62.9 0.3
November 67 35 51 0.4
December 57.7 29.7 43.7 1.1

What to plant when in Lancaster

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: February 20 · Transplant out: April 10
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: February 6 · Transplant out: April 17
CucumberswarmDirect sow: April 10
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: April 10
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: April 10
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: April 10
BasilwarmTransplant out: April 10
PeascoolSow (spring): February 27 · Sow (fall): September 6
SpinachcoolSow (spring): February 20 · Sow (fall): September 6
LettucecoolSow (spring): March 6 · Sow (fall): September 6
KalecoolTransplant (spring): March 13 · Sow (fall): August 23
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): March 20
CarrotscoolSow (spring): March 13 · Sow (fall): August 23
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): March 6
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: March 20
RadishescoolSow (spring): March 6 · Sow (fall): September 20

Dates are computed from Lancaster'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

Palmdale, CASanta Clarita, CAAzusa, CAGlendale, CABurbank, CAPasadena, CAMonrovia, CAArcadia, 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 — Lancaster Wm J Fox Fld, CA, 3.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Lancaster Wm J Fox Fld, CA, 3.7 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.