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

Planting zone for 92082 — Valley Center, CA

ZIP code 92082 (Valley Center, San Diego County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 92082 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 19
First frostDec 1
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 Valley Center, 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 Valley Center, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 11
Growing season281 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 8 and returns around December 17.

From the NOAA station Valley Center 1n, CA — 3 miles away, elevation 1,289 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 92082

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 19) and first fall frost (Dec 1) 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 92082 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 Valley Center, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92082 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 92082; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Valley Center, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August
Winter low37 °Faverage low, December
Hot days94days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,764base 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
Precipitation16.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 68 °F, low 38 °F 68°38° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 39 °F 67°39° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 42 °F 71°42° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 43 °F 75°43° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 49 °F 77°49° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 53 °F 84°53° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 59 °F 91°59° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 59 °F 93°59° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 56 °F 91°56° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 47 °F 83°47° OctNovember: average high 76 °F, low 41 °F 76°41° NovDecember: average high 67 °F, low 37 °F 67°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 2.47 in precipitation 2.5 MarApril: 1.27 in precipitation 1.3 AprMay: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.17 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.86 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 1.56 in precipitation 1.6 NovDecember: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Valley Center 1n, CA (3 mi away); precipitation: Valley Center 1n, CA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

6 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
9202610a
Escondido, CA · 8 mi
920279b
Escondido, CA · 8 mi
9205910a
Pala, CA · 9 mi
9203010a
Escondido, CA · 10 mi
9203310a
Escondido, CA · 10 mi
9204610a
Escondido, CA · 10 mi
9206910a
San Marcos, CA · 10 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 92082

What planting zone is ZIP code 92082?

ZIP code 92082 (Valley Center, 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 Valley Center, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92082 is February 19; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valley Center 1n station.

When is the first frost in Valley Center, CA?

The median first fall frost near 92082 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 281 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92082?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 25 – Jan 8 and set transplants outside around Feb 26 – Mar 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 92082 get?

About 16.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valley Center 1n station).

How hot do summers get in Valley Center, CA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 94 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 92082 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cieneba at the center of ZIP 92082: coarse sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 92082 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 Valley Center, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92082 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.