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

Planting zone for Elk Grove, CA

Elk Grove, CA is in USDA zone 9b across its 4 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 2 and the first fall frost December 2.

Elk Grove 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

ZIP codes4

Last frostFeb 2

First frostDec 2

Growing season301 days

9b 4 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 Elk Grove, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 2median — 10% chance by Nov 16

Growing season301 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 4 and returns around December 16.

From the NOAA station Sacramento Executive Airport, CA, elevation 16 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 Elk Grove

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 7 – Oct 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 18 – Dec 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 2) and first fall frost (Dec 2) 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 95759 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
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 Elk Grove, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95759 is San Joaquin — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: San Joaquin silt loam, leveled, 0 to 1 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 95759; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elk Grove, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days76days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights15nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,621base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation18.1 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: Sacramento Executive Airport, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Sacramento Executive Airport, CA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Elk Grove

California planting zones →

Questions about Elk Grove

What planting zone is Elk Grove, CA?

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

When is the last frost in Elk Grove, CA?

The median last spring frost is February 2 and the median first fall frost is December 2 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sacramento Executive Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Elk Grove, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 22 – Jan 12; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 9, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Elk Grove, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Elk Grove, CA get?

About 18.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).