Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Lancaster, CA

Lancaster, CA is in USDA zones 8a to 8b across its 6 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 1.

Lancaster on the zone map

Outlined: its 3 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones8a–8b10 to 20 °F

ZIP codes6

Last frostApr 3

First frostNov 1

Growing season211 days

8a 1 ZIP 8b 5 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lancaster, CA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Lancaster, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season211 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Lancaster Wm J Fox Field, CA, elevation 2,339 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Lancaster

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 1) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 93539 came on Feb 4 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
Feb 4

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Lancaster, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93539 is Tray — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.6alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.3%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Tray sandy loam, very slightly saline.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 93539; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lancaster, CA

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, December

Hot days109days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights68nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,029base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation7.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lancaster Wm J Fox Field, CA (5 mi away); precipitation: Lancaster 6.5 Ene, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Lancaster

California planting zones →

Questions about Lancaster

What planting zone is Lancaster, CA?

Lancaster, CA is in USDA hardiness zones 8a to 8b on the 2023 map (8a: 10 to 15 °F; 8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Lancaster, CA?

The median last spring frost is April 3 and the median first fall frost is November 1 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lancaster Wm J Fox Field station).

When can I plant a garden in Lancaster, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 20 – Mar 13; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 10, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Lancaster, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Lancaster, CA get?

About 7.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).