When to plant in Imperial Beach, CA
USDA Zone 10bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Imperial Beach, California — all computed from Imperial Beach's nearest NOAA weather station.
Imperial Beach enjoys a long ~359-day frost-free season — you can succession-sow, fit in a second crop, and grow long-season heat-lovers with room to spare. In zone 10b, frost is a minor factor for Imperial Beach — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
SAN DIEGO BROWN FLD · 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 Imperial Beach’s own odds, recorded at SAN DIEGO BROWN FLD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 7 | Feb 2 | Dec 29 | Dec 1 | Dec 20 | Jan 25 |
| 32°F | Feb 5 | Jan 6 | Dec 13 | Dec 11 | Dec 31 | Jan 30 |
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 Imperial Beach, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 44 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.
Imperial Beach planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Imperial Beach, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Imperial Beach is around January 6 (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 Imperial Beach, CA?
Expect Imperial Beach's first fall frost near December 31 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Imperial Beach in?
Imperial Beach is in USDA hardiness zone 10b. In zone 10b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Imperial Beach?
Imperial Beach has about 359 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 6) and first fall frost (December 31).
When should I plant tomatoes in Imperial Beach?
For Imperial Beach, sow tomatoes indoors about November 11–November 25 and move the seedlings out around January 13, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Imperial Beach
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Imperial Beach’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Coronado · 11 km
- National City · 11 km
- Chula Vista · 12 km
- Bonita · 16 km
- La Presa · 19 km
- Lemon Grove · 20 km
- Spring Valley · 22 km
- La Mesa · 24 km
Frost dates recorded at SAN DIEGO BROWN FLD, 13 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 Imperial Beach, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00003178. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/imperial-beach.