El Centro 2 SSW, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every El Centro 2 SSW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jan 3
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
358 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 10b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Dec 15 Jan 3 Feb 4
First fall frost Jan 26 Dec 27 Dec 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 1 · first Dec 31

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the EL CENTRO 2 SSW 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 El Centro 2 SSW

Computed from El Centro 2 SSW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-10 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Nov 8 – Nov 22 Jan 10 – Jan 17
🫑 Peppers Oct 25 – Nov 8 Jan 17 – Jan 24
🥬 Lettuce Nov 22 – Dec 6 Dec 6 – Dec 20 Dec 6 – Jan 3
🫛 Peas Nov 22 – Dec 6
🥕 Carrots Dec 13 – Jan 3
🥦 Broccoli Nov 15 – Nov 29 Dec 13 – Dec 27
🥬 Kale Nov 22 – Dec 6 Dec 6 – Dec 20 Dec 6 – Dec 20
🥒 Cucumbers Dec 6 – Dec 13 Jan 10 – Jan 17 Jan 10 – Jan 17
🥒 Zucchini Dec 6 – Dec 13 Jan 10 – Jan 17 Jan 10 – Jan 17
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jan 10 – Jan 17
🌽 Sweet Corn Jan 10 – Jan 17
🌿 Basil Nov 22 – Dec 6 Jan 10 – Jan 17 Jan 17 – Jan 24
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 15 – Dec 13

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 El Centro 2 SSW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in El Centro 2 SSW

With roughly 358 frost-free days, El Centro 2 SSW 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 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in El Centro 2 SSW, CA?

The average last spring frost in El Centro 2 SSW is around Jan 3, 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 El Centro 2 SSW, CA?

The average first fall frost in El Centro 2 SSW arrives around Dec 27. 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 El Centro 2 SSW?

About 358 frost-free days on average, from Jan 3 to Dec 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is El Centro 2 SSW in?

USDA zone 10b 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.