When to plant in El Monte, CA
USDA Zone 10bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for El Monte, California — all computed from El Monte's nearest NOAA weather station.
El Monte's growing season is short at roughly -2 days, so succession planting is limited; lean on transplants over direct sowing for anything slow to mature. Zone 10b is warm enough that El Monte can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT · 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 El Monte’s own odds, recorded at SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 20 | Jan 17 | Dec 20 | Dec 6 | Dec 26 | Jan 30 |
| 32°F | Jan 28 | Jan 4 | Dec 19 | Dec 18 | Jan 2 | Jan 26 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 20Nothing 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 El Monte, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 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.
El Monte planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in El Monte, CA?
El Monte's average last spring frost falls near January 4 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in El Monte, CA?
In El Monte, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around January 2 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is El Monte in?
El Monte is in USDA hardiness zone 10b. In zone 10b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in El Monte?
There are roughly -2 frost-free days in El Monte (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around January 4 to the first fall frost near January 2.
When should I plant tomatoes in El Monte?
In El Monte, start tomato seeds indoors around November 9–November 23, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 11 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in El Monte
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to El Monte’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- South El Monte · 3 km
- Temple City · 4 km
- Avocado Heights · 5 km
- Rosemead · 5 km
- Baldwin Park · 5 km
- West Puente Valley · 6 km
- Arcadia · 6 km
- East San Gabriel · 7 km
Frost dates recorded at SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, 7 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 El Monte, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00047785. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/el-monte.