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

Planting zone for Palmdale, CA

Palmdale, CA is in USDA zones 8b to 9a across its 6 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost November 19.

Palmdale on the zone map

Outlined: its 4 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.

Zones8b–9a15 to 25 °F

ZIP codes6

Last frostMar 10

First frostNov 19

Growing season248 days

8b 4 ZIPs 9a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Palmdale, 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 Palmdale, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season248 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 13 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Palmdale, CA, elevation 2,612 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 Palmdale

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 93552 came on Feb 1 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
Feb 1

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 Palmdale, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93552 is Cajon — loamy sand, excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Cajon loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

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 93552; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Palmdale, CA

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, December

Hot days118days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights38nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,415base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation7.3 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: Palmdale, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Palmdale, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Palmdale

California planting zones →

Questions about Palmdale

What planting zone is Palmdale, CA?

Palmdale, CA is in USDA hardiness zones 8b to 9a on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F; 9a: 20 to 25 °F).

When is the last frost in Palmdale, CA?

The median last spring frost is March 10 and the median first fall frost is November 19 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palmdale station).

When can I plant a garden in Palmdale, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 27 – Feb 17; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 17, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Palmdale, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Palmdale, CA get?

About 7.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).