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

Planting zone for Tracy, CA

Tracy, CA is in USDA zone 9b across its 5 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost November 26.

Tracy on the zone map

Outlined: its 4 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 codes5

Last frostFeb 25

First frostNov 26

Growing season272 days

9b 5 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 Tracy, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 26median — 10% chance by Nov 8

Growing season272 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 18 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Tracy Carbona, CA, elevation 135 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 Tracy

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 1 – Oct 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 12 – Dec 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 25) and first fall frost (Nov 26) 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 95376 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 Tracy, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95376 is Capay — clay, moderately well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Capay-Urban land complex, 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 95376; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tracy, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days80days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights26nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,362base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation12.7 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: Tracy Carbona, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Tracy Carbona, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Tracy

California planting zones →

Questions about Tracy

What planting zone is Tracy, CA?

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

When is the last frost in Tracy, CA?

The median last spring frost is February 25 and the median first fall frost is November 26 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tracy Carbona station).

When can I plant a garden in Tracy, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 14 – Feb 4; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 4, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Tracy, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Tracy, CA get?

About 12.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).