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

Planting zone for 92010 — Carlsbad, CA

ZIP code 92010 (Carlsbad, San Diego County) is in USDA zone 10a: the coldest winter night averages 30 to 35 °F. The median last spring frost is January 23 and the first fall frost December 11.

Where ZIP 92010 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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
Coldest night−1.1 to 1.7 °C
Last frostJan 23
First frostDec 11
2012 zone10a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 10a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Carlsbad, 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 Carlsbad, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJanuary 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsFebruary 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 11median — 10% chance by Nov 21
Growing season325 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around December 31 and returns around December 23.

From the NOAA station Oceanside Municipal Airport, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 30 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 92010

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 12 – Jan 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 14 – Nov 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 2 – Jan 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Nov 28 – Dec 12
TomatoesTransplant · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 14 – Nov 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 6 – Feb 20
BeansSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 16 – Oct 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 27 – Jan 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 23) and first fall frost (Dec 11) 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 92010 came on Jan 18 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

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 Carlsbad, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92010 is Las Posas — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.2%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Las Posas loam, 30 to 65 percent slopes, stony.

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 92010; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carlsbad, CA

Summer high76 °Faverage high, August
Winter low47 °Faverage low, December
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights0nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,583base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 21 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 57 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation11.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

40°50°60°70°80°90°January: average high 65 °F, low 48 °F 65°48° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 49 °F 64°49° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 51 °F 65°51° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 53 °F 66°53° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 57 °F 68°57° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 60 °F 70°60° JunJuly: average high 74 °F, low 64 °F 74°64° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 65 °F 76°65° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 64 °F 76°64° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 59 °F 73°59° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 52 °F 70°52° NovDecember: average high 65 °F, low 47 °F 65°47° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.49 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 MarApril: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 AprMay: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 MayJune: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 OctNovember: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 NovDecember: 1.72 in precipitation 1.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carlsbad Palomar Airport, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Carlsbad Palomar Airport, CA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

9208110a
Vista, CA · 2 mi
9200810a
Carlsbad, CA · 2 mi
9205610a
Oceanside, CA · 3 mi
9208310a
Vista, CA · 3 mi
9208510a
Vista, CA · 3 mi
9201310b
Carlsbad, CA · 4 mi
9201810a
Carlsbad, CA · 4 mi
9201110b
Carlsbad, CA · 4 mi

All 6 ZIP codes in Carlsbad → · California planting zones →

Questions about 92010

What planting zone is ZIP code 92010?

ZIP code 92010 (Carlsbad, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 10a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 30 to 35 °F (−1.1 to 1.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Carlsbad, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92010 is January 23; after February 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oceanside Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Carlsbad, CA?

The median first fall frost near 92010 is December 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 325 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92010?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Nov 28 – Dec 12 and set transplants outside around Jan 30 – Feb 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 92010 get?

About 11.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carlsbad Palomar Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Carlsbad, CA?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in August, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 92010 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Las Posas at the center of ZIP 92010: loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Carlsbad, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 92010 came on Jan 18 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carlsbad, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92010 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.