Camp Pendleton Mcas, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Camp Pendleton Mcas garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 16
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
295 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 31 Feb 16 Mar 18
First fall frost Jan 2 Dec 8 Nov 21
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 11 · first Dec 22

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CAMP PENDLETON MCAS station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Camp Pendleton Mcas

Computed from Camp Pendleton Mcas's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 22 – Jan 5 Feb 23 – Mar 2
🫑 Peppers Dec 8 – Dec 22 Mar 2 – Mar 9
🥬 Lettuce Jan 5 – Jan 19 Jan 19 – Feb 2 Jan 19 – Feb 16
🫛 Peas Jan 5 – Jan 19
🥕 Carrots Jan 26 – Feb 16
🥦 Broccoli Dec 29 – Jan 12 Jan 26 – Feb 9
🥬 Kale Jan 5 – Jan 19 Jan 19 – Feb 2 Jan 19 – Feb 2
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 19 – Jan 26 Feb 23 – Mar 2 Feb 23 – Mar 2
🥒 Zucchini Jan 19 – Jan 26 Feb 23 – Mar 2 Feb 23 – Mar 2
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 23 – Mar 2
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 23 – Mar 2
🌿 Basil Jan 5 – Jan 19 Feb 23 – Mar 2 Mar 2 – Mar 9
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 27 – Nov 24

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Camp Pendleton Mcas's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Camp Pendleton Mcas

With roughly 295 frost-free days, Camp Pendleton Mcas gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Dec 8 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Camp Pendleton Mcas, CA?

The average last spring frost in Camp Pendleton Mcas is around Feb 16, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Camp Pendleton Mcas, CA?

The average first fall frost in Camp Pendleton Mcas arrives around Dec 8. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Camp Pendleton Mcas?

About 295 frost-free days on average, from Feb 16 to Dec 8. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Camp Pendleton Mcas in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.