When to plant in Lake Forest, CA
USDA Zone 10bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lake Forest, California — all computed from Lake Forest's nearest NOAA weather station.
A generous ~354-day season lets Lake Forest gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 10b is warm enough that Lake Forest can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
TUSTIN IRVINE RCH · 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 Lake Forest’s own odds, recorded at TUSTIN IRVINE RCH.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 5 | Feb 1 | Jan 3 | Nov 24 | Dec 13 | Jan 8 |
| 32°F | Feb 2 | Jan 5 | Dec 14 | Dec 3 | Dec 25 | Jan 20 |
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 Lake Forest, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 31 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.
Lake Forest planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lake Forest, CA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Lake Forest around January 5 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Lake Forest, CA?
Expect Lake Forest's first fall frost near December 25 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Lake Forest in?
Lake Forest is in USDA hardiness zone 10b. In zone 10b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Lake Forest?
There are roughly 354 frost-free days in Lake Forest (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around January 5 to the first fall frost near December 25.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lake Forest?
In Lake Forest, start tomato seeds indoors around November 10–November 24, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 12 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lake Forest
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lake Forest’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Mission Viejo · 5 km
- Laguna Woods · 7 km
- Laguna Hills · 7 km
- Rancho Santa Margarita · 8 km
- Irvine · 9 km
- Aliso Viejo · 10 km
- Coto de Caza · 10 km
- Ladera Ranch · 12 km
Frost dates recorded at TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, 9 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 Lake Forest, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00049087. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/lake-forest.