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

Planting zone for Davis, CA

Davis, CA is in USDA zone 9b across its 3 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 10 and the first fall frost December 1.

Davis on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 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 codes3

Last frostFeb 10

First frostDec 1

Growing season295 days

9b 3 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 Davis, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

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

First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 13

Growing season295 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 6 and returns around December 18.

From the NOAA station Davis 2 Wsw Exp Farm, CA, elevation 59 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 Davis

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 30 – Jan 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 2 – Dec 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 2 – Dec 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

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 10) 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 95617 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
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 Davis, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95617 is Sycamore — silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Sycamore silty clay loam, drained, 0 percent slopes, MLRA 17.

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 95617; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Davis, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights18nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,562base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation21 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: Davis 2 Wsw Exp Farm, CA (3 mi away); precipitation: Davis 1.2 Se, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Davis

California planting zones →

Questions about Davis

What planting zone is Davis, CA?

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

When is the last frost in Davis, CA?

The median last spring frost is February 10 and the median first fall frost is December 1 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Davis 2 Wsw Exp Farm station).

When can I plant a garden in Davis, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 30 – Jan 20; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 17, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Davis, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Davis, CA get?

About 21 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).