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

Planting zone for 92061 — Pauma Valley, CA

ZIP code 92061 (Pauma Valley, San Diego County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 92061 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 frostApr 29
First frostNov 18
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 Pauma Valley, 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 Pauma Valley, 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 — 7 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 92061

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 92061 came on Jan 17 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

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 Pauma Valley, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92061 is Soboba — stony loamy sand, excessively drained.

TextureStony loamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Soboba stony loamy sand, 9 to 30 percent slopes.

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 92061; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pauma Valley, 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 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
Precipitation15.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

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

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 JanFebruary: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 2.54 in precipitation 2.5 MarApril: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 AprMay: 0.39 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.21 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 NovDecember: 2.23 in precipitation 2.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Palomar Mtn Obsy, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Valley Center 6.4n, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

920609a
Palomar Mountain, CA · 5 mi
920829b
Valley Center, CA · 5 mi
9205910a
Pala, CA · 9 mi
920279b
Escondido, CA · 12 mi
9202610a
Escondido, CA · 13 mi
920709a
Santa Ysabel, CA · 13 mi
925369b
Aguanga, CA · 15 mi
9203010a
Escondido, CA · 15 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 92061

What planting zone is ZIP code 92061?

ZIP code 92061 (Pauma Valley, 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 Pauma Valley, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92061 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 Pauma Valley, CA?

The median first fall frost near 92061 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92061?

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 92061 get?

About 15.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valley Center 6.4n station).

How hot do summers get in Pauma Valley, 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 92061 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Soboba at the center of ZIP 92061: stony loamy sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Pauma Valley, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 92061 came on Jan 17 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pauma Valley, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92061 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.