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

Planting zone for 92027 — Escondido, CA

ZIP code 92027 (Escondido, San Diego County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 2 and the first fall frost December 7.

Where ZIP 92027 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F
Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C
Last frostFeb 2
First frostDec 7
2012 zone9b

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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Escondido, 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 Escondido, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 7median — 10% chance by Nov 22
Growing season309 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 5 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station San Pasqual Animal Pk, CA — 2 miles away, elevation 420 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 92027

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 12 – Oct 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 23 – Dec 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 2) and first fall frost (Dec 7) 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 92027 came on Jan 17 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

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 Escondido, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92027 is Cieneba — coarse sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureCoarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cieneba-Fallbrook rocky sandy loams, 30 to 65 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 92027; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Escondido, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August
Winter low38 °Faverage low, December
Hot days78days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights16nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,528base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 21 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
Precipitation13.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 73 °F, low 39 °F 73°39° JanFebruary: average high 72 °F, low 42 °F 72°42° FebMarch: average high 75 °F, low 45 °F 75°45° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 49 °F 77°49° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 56 °F 84°56° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 60 °F 90°60° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 60 °F 93°60° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 58 °F 91°58° SepOctober: average high 84 °F, low 51 °F 84°51° OctNovember: average high 78 °F, low 44 °F 78°44° NovDecember: average high 71 °F, low 38 °F 71°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.69 in precipitation 2.7 JanFebruary: 2.99 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 1.96 in precipitation 2.0 MarApril: 0.91 in precipitation 0.9 AprMay: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.26 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 OctNovember: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 NovDecember: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: San Pasqual Animal Pk, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: San Pasqual Animal Pk, 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.

9202510a
Escondido, CA · 5 mi
9203010a
Escondido, CA · 6 mi
9203310a
Escondido, CA · 6 mi
9204610a
Escondido, CA · 6 mi
920829b
Valley Center, CA · 8 mi
9202910a
Escondido, CA · 9 mi
9202610a
Escondido, CA · 10 mi
9209610a
San Marcos, CA · 10 mi

All 7 ZIP codes in Escondido → · California planting zones →

Questions about 92027

What planting zone is ZIP code 92027?

ZIP code 92027 (Escondido, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Escondido, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92027 is February 2; after March 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, San Pasqual Animal Pk station.

When is the first frost in Escondido, CA?

The median first fall frost near 92027 is December 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 309 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92027?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 8 – Dec 22 and set transplants outside around Feb 9 – Feb 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 92027 get?

About 13.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, San Pasqual Animal Pk station).

How hot do summers get in Escondido, CA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 78 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 92027 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cieneba at the center of ZIP 92027: coarse sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Escondido, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 92027 came on Jan 17 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Escondido, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92027 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.