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

Planting zone for Salinas, CA

Salinas, CA is in USDA zone 9b across its 8 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is January 29 and the first fall frost December 10.

Salinas on the zone map

Outlined: its 5 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 codes8

Last frostJan 29

First frostDec 10

Growing season325 days

9b 8 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 Salinas, 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 plantsMarch 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 10median — 10% chance by Nov 21

Growing season325 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around December 31 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Salinas Municipal Airport, CA, elevation 75 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 Salinas

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 15 – Oct 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 26 – Dec 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 29) and first fall frost (Dec 10) 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 93902 came on Jan 21 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
Jan 21

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 Salinas, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93902 is Salinas — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Salinas clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14.

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 93902; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Salinas, CA

Summer high75 °Faverage high, September

Winter low40 °Faverage low, December

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights7nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,973base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation15.4 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: Salinas #2, CA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Salinas #2, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Salinas

California planting zones →

Questions about Salinas

What planting zone is Salinas, CA?

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

When is the last frost in Salinas, CA?

The median last spring frost is January 29 and the median first fall frost is December 10 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salinas Municipal Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Salinas, 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 Salinas, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Salinas, CA get?

About 15.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).