When to plant in Lancaster, CA
USDA Zone 8aLancaster, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 8a, Lancaster supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
LANCASTER WM J FOX 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 Lancaster’s own odds, recorded at LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 5 | Apr 19 | Mar 31 | Oct 7 | Oct 22 | Nov 3 |
| 32°F | Apr 23 | Apr 3 | Mar 8 | Oct 17 | Nov 1 | Nov 14 |
| 28°F | Apr 7 | Mar 8 | Feb 14 | Oct 28 | Nov 10 | Nov 26 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Lancaster, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 14 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.
Lancaster planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lancaster, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Lancaster is around April 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 Lancaster, CA?
Expect Lancaster's first fall frost near November 1 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Lancaster in?
Lancaster is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster?
Lancaster has about 212 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 3) and first fall frost (November 1).
When should I plant tomatoes in Lancaster?
For Lancaster, sow tomatoes indoors about February 6–February 20 and move the seedlings out around April 10, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Lancaster
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lancaster’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Quartz Hill · 6 km
- Palmdale · 13 km
- Rosamond · 19 km
- Sun Village · 25 km
- Lake Los Angeles · 33 km
- Santa Clarita · 43 km
- Castaic · 48 km
- Stevenson Ranch · 51 km
Frost dates recorded at LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, 6 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 Lancaster, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00003159. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/lancaster.