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

Planting zone for 92236 — Coachella, CA

ZIP code 92236 (Coachella, Riverside County) is in USDA zone 10a: the coldest winter night averages 30 to 35 °F. The median last spring frost is February 7 and the first fall frost December 2.

Where ZIP 92236 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.

Zone10a30 to 35 °F
Coldest night−1.1 to 1.7 °C
Last frostFeb 7
First frostDec 2
2012 zone9b

Was 9b 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 10a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Coachella, 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 Coachella, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 2median — 10% chance by Nov 16
Growing season298 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 15 and returns around December 13.

From the NOAA station Desert Resorts Regional Airport, CA — 7 miles away, elevation -118 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 92236

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 27 – Jan 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 29 – Dec 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 13 – Dec 27
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 29 – Dec 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 21 – Mar 7
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 7 – Oct 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 18 – Dec 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 7) and first fall frost (Dec 2) 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 92236 came on Jan 16 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

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 Coachella, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92236 is Chuckawalla — very gravelly sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly sandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chuckawalla very gravelly sandy clay loam, 2 to 5 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 92236; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Coachella, CA

Summer high107 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, December
Hot days187days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days8,296base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 55 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°120°32 °FJanuary: average high 71 °F, low 39 °F 71°39° JanFebruary: average high 74 °F, low 43 °F 74°43° FebMarch: average high 81 °F, low 49 °F 81°49° MarApril: average high 87 °F, low 55 °F 87°55° AprMay: average high 95 °F, low 63 °F 95°63° MayJune: average high 103 °F, low 69 °F 103°69° JunJuly: average high 107 °F, low 76 °F 107°76° JulAugust: average high 106 °F, low 75 °F 106°75° AugSeptember: average high 102 °F, low 68 °F 102°68° SepOctober: average high 91 °F, low 57 °F 91°57° OctNovember: average high 79 °F, low 45 °F 79°45° NovDecember: average high 69 °F, low 38 °F 69°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″January: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.61 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 MarApril: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 AprMay: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 MayJune: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JunJuly: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.32 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 OctNovember: 0.17 in precipitation 0.2 NovDecember: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Desert Resorts Regional Airport, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Desert Resorts Regional Airport, CA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 10a.

9220210a
Indio, CA · 4 mi
9220110a
Indio, CA · 9 mi
9220310a
Indio, CA · 10 mi
9225410a
Mecca, CA · 12 mi
9224710a
La Quinta, CA · 13 mi
9224810a
La Quinta, CA · 13 mi
9225310a
La Quinta, CA · 13 mi
9221010a
Indian Wells, CA · 15 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 92236

What planting zone is ZIP code 92236?

ZIP code 92236 (Coachella, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 10a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 30 to 35 °F (−1.1 to 1.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Coachella, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92236 is February 7; after March 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Desert Resorts Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Coachella, CA?

The median first fall frost near 92236 is December 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 298 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92236?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 13 – Dec 27 and set transplants outside around Feb 14 – Feb 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 92236 get?

About 3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Desert Resorts Regional Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Coachella, CA?

The average high peaks at 107 °F in July, with about 187 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 92236 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chuckawalla at the center of ZIP 92236: very gravelly sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Coachella, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 92236 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Coachella, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92236 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 92236 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 92236 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 10a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.