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

Planting zone for Merced, CA

Merced, CA is in USDA zones 9a to 9b across its 5 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost November 24.

Merced 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.

Zones9a–9b20 to 30 °F

ZIP codes5

Last frostMar 3

First frostNov 24

Growing season263 days

9a 4 ZIPs 9b 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Merced, 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 Merced, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 5

Growing season263 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 2 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Merced, CA, elevation 154 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 Merced

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 29 – Oct 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 10 – Dec 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 3) and first fall frost (Nov 24) 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 95343 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 Merced, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95343 is Honcut — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Honcut silt loam, 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 95343; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Merced, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, December

Hot days106days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights24nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,678base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation12.5 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: Merced, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Merced, CA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Merced

California planting zones →

Questions about Merced

What planting zone is Merced, CA?

Merced, CA is in USDA hardiness zones 9a to 9b on the 2023 map (9a: 20 to 25 °F; 9b: 25 to 30 °F).

When is the last frost in Merced, CA?

The median last spring frost is March 3 and the median first fall frost is November 24 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Merced station).

When can I plant a garden in Merced, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 20 – Feb 10; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 10, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Merced, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Merced, CA get?

About 12.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).