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

Planting zone for 92252 — Joshua Tree, CA

ZIP code 92252 (Joshua Tree, San Bernardino County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 92252 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostFeb 28
First frostDec 1
2012 zone9a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Joshua Tree, 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 Joshua Tree, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 12
Growing season273 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 24 and returns around December 15.

From the NOAA station Joshua Tree, CA — within 1 mile, elevation 2,562 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 92252

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Dec 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 92252 came on Jan 24 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

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 Joshua Tree, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92252 is Typic Torriorthents — gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Typic Torriorthents and Typic Haplargids; thermic fan piedmonts.

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 92252; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Joshua Tree, CA

Summer high102 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, December
Hot days130days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights24nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,041base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation4.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 39 °F 63°39° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 47 °F 77°47° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 54 °F 86°54° MayJune: average high 95 °F, low 61 °F 95°61° JunJuly: average high 102 °F, low 70 °F 102°70° JulAugust: average high 100 °F, low 70 °F 100°70° AugSeptember: average high 93 °F, low 64 °F 93°64° SepOctober: average high 82 °F, low 52 °F 82°52° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 JanFebruary: 0.72 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 0.7 FebMarch: 0.45 in precipitation 0.5 MarApril: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 AprMay: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 MayJune: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 JunJuly: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 0.22 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.25 in precipitation 0.3 OctNovember: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 NovDecember: 0.46 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 0.5❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Joshua Tree, CA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Joshua Tree, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

922869a
Yucca Valley, CA · 4 mi
922849a
Yucca Valley, CA · 8 mi
922789b
Twentynine Palms, CA · 14 mi
922689a
Pioneertown, CA · 15 mi
922859a
Landers, CA · 19 mi
9224010a
Desert Hot Springs, CA · 19 mi
922569b
Morongo Valley, CA · 20 mi
9224110a
Desert Hot Springs, CA · 21 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 92252

What planting zone is ZIP code 92252?

ZIP code 92252 (Joshua Tree, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Joshua Tree, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92252 is February 28; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Joshua Tree station.

When is the first frost in Joshua Tree, CA?

The median first fall frost near 92252 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 273 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92252?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 3 – Jan 17 and set transplants outside around Mar 7 – Mar 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 92252 get?

About 4.4 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Joshua Tree station).

How hot do summers get in Joshua Tree, CA?

The average high peaks at 102 °F in July, with about 130 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 92252 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Typic Torriorthents at the center of ZIP 92252: gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Joshua Tree, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 92252 came on Jan 24 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Joshua Tree, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92252 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.