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

Planting zone for Ventura, CA

Ventura, CA is in USDA zone 10a across its 8 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 15.

Ventura 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.

Zone10a30 to 35 °F

ZIP codes8

Last frostMar 21

First frostNov 15

Growing season235 days

10a 8 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ventura, 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 Ventura, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 17 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Ojai, CA, elevation 745 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 Ventura

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 93003 came on Jan 16 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
Jan 16

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 Ventura, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93003 is Sorrento — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Sorrento loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, warm MAAT, MLRA 19.

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 93003; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ventura, CA

Summer high74 °Faverage high, August

Winter low46 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights0nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,122base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation16.1 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: Oxnard Ventura Co. Airport, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Ventura, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Ventura

California planting zones →

Questions about Ventura

What planting zone is Ventura, CA?

Ventura, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 10a on the 2023 map (10a: 30 to 35 °F).

When is the last frost in Ventura, CA?

The median last spring frost is March 21 and the median first fall frost is November 15 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ojai station).

When can I plant a garden in Ventura, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 7 – Feb 28; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 28, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Ventura, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Ventura, CA get?

About 16.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).