When to plant in Palm Springs, CA
USDA Zone 10aPalm Springs, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
A generous ~364-day season lets Palm Springs gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 10a is warm enough that Palm Springs can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
PALM SPRINGS · 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 Palm Springs’s own odds, recorded at PALM SPRINGS.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 18 | Jan 10 | Dec 14 | Dec 5 | Dec 22 | Jan 25 |
| 32°F | Jan 18 | Jan 1 | Dec 12 | Dec 11 | Dec 31 | Jan 16 |
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 Palm Springs, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 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.
Palm Springs planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Palm Springs, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Palm Springs is around January 1 (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 Palm Springs, CA?
The first fall frost in Palm Springs typically arrives around December 31 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Palm Springs in?
Palm Springs is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Palm Springs?
There are roughly 364 frost-free days in Palm Springs (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around January 1 to the first fall frost near December 31.
When should I plant tomatoes in Palm Springs?
In Palm Springs, start tomato seeds indoors around November 6–November 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around January 8 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Palm Springs
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Palm Springs’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Cathedral City · 8 km
- Rancho Mirage · 11 km
- Desert Hot Springs · 17 km
- Palm Desert · 18 km
- Indio · 29 km
- La Quinta · 30 km
- Valle Vista · 33 km
- Banning · 37 km
Frost dates recorded at PALM SPRINGS, 4 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 Palm Springs, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00046635. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/palm-springs.