When to plant in Murrieta, CA
USDA Zone 9bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Murrieta, California — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A ~-3-day frost-free window makes Murrieta a short-season garden: choose early varieties and start long-season crops indoors well ahead of the last frost. In zone 9b, frost is a minor factor for Murrieta — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
Frost probability
FALLBROOK 5 NE · 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 Murrieta’s own odds, recorded at FALLBROOK 5 NE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 6 | Feb 7 | Dec 21 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 17 |
| 32°F | Feb 24 | Feb 2 | Dec 26 | Dec 23 | Jan 30 | Feb 24 |
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 Murrieta, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 32 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.
Murrieta planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Murrieta, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Murrieta is around February 2 (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 Murrieta, CA?
In Murrieta, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around January 30 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Murrieta in?
Murrieta is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Murrieta?
Murrieta has about -3 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (February 2) and first fall frost (January 30).
When should I plant tomatoes in Murrieta?
For Murrieta, sow tomatoes indoors about December 8–December 22 and move the seedlings out around February 9, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Murrieta
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Murrieta’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Wildomar · 8 km
- French Valley · 8 km
- Temecula · 10 km
- Menifee · 13 km
- Canyon Lake · 14 km
- Lake Elsinore · 18 km
- Lakeland Village · 18 km
- Fallbrook · 22 km
Frost dates recorded at FALLBROOK 5 NE, 15 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 Murrieta, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00053151. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/murrieta.