When to plant in Colton, CA
USDA Zone 10aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Colton, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
With only about -8 frost-free days, Colton has a short season — start heat-lovers indoors early, favor quick-maturing varieties, and use row cover to stretch both ends. In zone 10a, frost is a minor factor for Colton — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
The average first fall frost in Colton is now 10 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP · 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 Colton’s own odds, recorded at RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 12 | Feb 11 | Jan 1 | Nov 25 | Dec 13 | Jan 8 |
| 32°F | Feb 17 | Jan 10 | Dec 20 | Dec 11 | Jan 2 | Feb 7 |
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 Colton, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 13 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.
Colton planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Colton, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Colton is around January 10 (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 Colton, CA?
Expect Colton's first fall frost near January 2 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Colton in?
Colton is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Colton?
Colton has about -8 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 10) and first fall frost (January 2).
When should I plant tomatoes in Colton?
For Colton, sow tomatoes indoors about November 15–November 29 and move the seedlings out around January 17, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Colton
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Colton’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Grand Terrace · 3 km
- Bloomington · 7 km
- Loma Linda · 7 km
- Rialto · 9 km
- San Bernardino · 10 km
- Muscoy · 11 km
- Fontana · 14 km
- Redlands · 14 km
Frost dates recorded at RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, 10 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 Colton, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00047473. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/colton.