Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Aptos, CA

Aptos, CA is in USDA zone 9b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is January 29 and the first fall frost December 13.

Aptos on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostJan 29

First frostDec 13

Growing season323 days

9b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Aptos, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJanuary 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsFebruary 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 23

Growing season323 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 3 and returns around December 27.

From the NOAA station Santa Cruz, CA, elevation 69 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 Aptos

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 18 – Jan 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 20 – Dec 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 4 – Dec 18

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 20 – Dec 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 18 – Nov 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 29 – Jan 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 29) and first fall frost (Dec 13) 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 95003 came on Jan 24 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
Jan 24

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 Aptos, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95003 is Tierra — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

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

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tierra-Watsonville complex, 15 to 30 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 95003; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Aptos, CA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, September

Winter low41 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,271base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation30.1 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: Santa Cruz, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Soquel 0.8 Ne, CA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Aptos

California planting zones →

Questions about Aptos

What planting zone is Aptos, CA?

Aptos, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map (9b: 25 to 30 °F).

When is the last frost in Aptos, CA?

The median last spring frost is January 29 and the median first fall frost is December 13 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Santa Cruz station).

When can I plant a garden in Aptos, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 18 – Jan 8; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 5, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Aptos, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Aptos, CA get?

About 30.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).