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

Planting zone for 92060 — Palomar Mountain, CA

ZIP code 92060 (Palomar Mountain, San Diego County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 92060 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostApr 29
First frostNov 18
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Palomar Mountain, 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 Palomar Mountain, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 18median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station Palomar Mtn Obsy, CA — 2 miles away, elevation 5,551 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 92060

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27
BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 23 – Oct 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 4 – Dec 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Nov 18) 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 92060 came on Jan 30 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

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 Palomar Mountain, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92060 is La Posta — loamy coarse sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy coarse sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: La Posta loamy coarse sand, 5 to 30 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 92060; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Palomar Mountain, CA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, February
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights49nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,690base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation30.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall26 inper year

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 51 °F, low 37 °F 51°37° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 36 °F 51°36° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 39 °F 56°39° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 42 °F 61°42° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 48 °F 69°48° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 65 °F 84°65° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 60 °F 79°60° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 51 °F 69°51° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 43 °F 58°43° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 37 °F 51°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″January: 5.93 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 5.9❄6 JanFebruary: 7.34 in precipitation, 10.6 in snowfall 7.3❄11 FebMarch: 4.61 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 4.6❄3 MarApril: 2.00 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 2.0❄4 AprMay: 0.89 in precipitation 0.9 MayJune: 0.17 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 AugSeptember: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 2.25 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 2.3 NovDecember: 4.56 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 4.6❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Palomar Mtn Obsy, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Palomar Mtn Obsy, 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.

920619b
Pauma Valley, CA · 5 mi
925369b
Aguanga, CA · 10 mi
920829b
Valley Center, CA · 11 mi
9205910a
Pala, CA · 11 mi
920709a
Santa Ysabel, CA · 13 mi
920868b
Warner Springs, CA · 14 mi
925929b
Temecula, CA · 14 mi
920279b
Escondido, CA · 16 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 92060

What planting zone is ZIP code 92060?

ZIP code 92060 (Palomar Mountain, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Palomar Mountain, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92060 is April 29; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palomar Mtn Obsy station.

When is the first frost in Palomar Mountain, CA?

The median first fall frost near 92060 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92060?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 92060 get?

About 30.4 inches of precipitation a year and 26 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palomar Mtn Obsy station).

How hot do summers get in Palomar Mountain, CA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 92060 have?

The USDA soil survey maps La Posta at the center of ZIP 92060: loamy coarse sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Palomar Mountain, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 92060 came on Jan 30 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Palomar Mountain, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92060 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 92060 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 92060 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.