When to plant in Calexico, CA
USDA Zone 10aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Calexico, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~358-day season lets Calexico gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 10a is warm enough that Calexico can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
The average last spring frost in Calexico is now 11 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
EL CENTRO 2 SSW · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Calexico’s own odds, recorded at EL CENTRO 2 SSW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 22 | Jan 22 | Dec 27 | Nov 30 | Dec 17 | Jan 9 |
| 32°F | Feb 4 | Jan 3 | Dec 15 | Dec 9 | Dec 27 | Jan 26 |
| 28°F | Feb 4 | Jan 1 | Dec 15 | Dec 15 | Dec 31 | Feb 4 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Calexico, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 19 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Calexico planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Calexico, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Calexico is around January 3 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Calexico, CA?
In Calexico, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 27 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Calexico in?
Calexico is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Calexico?
There are roughly 358 frost-free days in Calexico (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around January 3 to the first fall frost near December 27.
When should I plant tomatoes in Calexico?
In Calexico, start tomato seeds indoors around November 8–November 22, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 10 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Calexico
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Calexico’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at EL CENTRO 2 SSW, 11 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Calexico, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00042713. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/calexico.