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

Planting zone for 92011 — Carlsbad, CA

ZIP code 92011 (Carlsbad, San Diego County) is in USDA zone 10b: the coldest winter night averages 35 to 40 °F. The median last spring frost is January 23 and the first fall frost December 11.

Where ZIP 92011 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.

Zone10b35 to 40 °F

Coldest night1.7 to 4.4 °C

Last frostJan 23

First frostDec 11

2012 zone10a

Was 10a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 10b 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 — 8 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 92011

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 92011 came on Jan 18 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

average
Jan 232026
Jan 18

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 92011 is Chesterton — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Chesterton fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, eroded.

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 92011; 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 20 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 58 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

Precipitation by month inches

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

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

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

Questions about 92011

What planting zone is ZIP code 92011?

ZIP code 92011 (Carlsbad, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 10b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 35 to 40 °F (1.7 to 4.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Carlsbad, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92011 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 92011 is December 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 325 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92011?

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 92011 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 92011 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chesterton at the center of ZIP 92011: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Carlsbad, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 92011 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 92011 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 92011 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 92011 in zone 10a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 10b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.