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

Planting zone for 92257 — Niland, CA

ZIP code 92257 (Niland, Imperial County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost December 17.

Where ZIP 92257 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 5
First frostDec 17
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 Niland, 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 Niland, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 25
Growing season313 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 10 and returns around December 31.

From the NOAA station Chiriaco Summit, CA — 25 miles away, elevation 1,706 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 92257

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 15 – Jan 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 22 – Nov 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 3 – Jan 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 5) and first fall frost (Dec 17) 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 92257 came on Jan 28 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

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 Niland, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92257 is Carsitas — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.8slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Carsitas-Chemwash complex, 2 to 4 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 92257; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Niland, CA

Summer high103 °Faverage high, July
Winter low40 °Faverage low, January
Hot days152days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights9nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days7,247base 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
Precipitation2.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° FebMarch: average high 75 °F, low 46 °F 75°46° MarApril: average high 83 °F, low 51 °F 83°51° AprMay: average high 89 °F, low 58 °F 89°58° MayJune: average high 99 °F, low 66 °F 99°66° JunJuly: average high 103 °F, low 74 °F 103°74° JulAugust: average high 102 °F, low 75 °F 102°75° AugSeptember: average high 96 °F, low 68 °F 96°68° SepOctober: average high 86 °F, low 56 °F 86°56° OctNovember: average high 74 °F, low 46 °F 74°46° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″January: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 MarApril: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 AprMay: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 MayJune: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 JunJuly: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.22 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 OctNovember: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 NovDecember: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chiriaco Summit, CA (25 mi away); precipitation: Niland, CA (4 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.

922339b
Calipatria, CA · 13 mi
922819b
Westmorland, CA · 20 mi
9227510a
Salton City, CA · 22 mi
9222710a
Brawley, CA · 26 mi
9225410a
Mecca, CA · 31 mi
9225110a
Imperial, CA · 34 mi
9223910a
Desert Center, CA · 35 mi
9227410a
Thermal, CA · 35 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 92257

What planting zone is ZIP code 92257?

ZIP code 92257 (Niland, 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 Niland, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92257 is February 5; after March 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chiriaco Summit station.

When is the first frost in Niland, CA?

The median first fall frost near 92257 is December 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 313 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92257?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 11 – Dec 25 and set transplants outside around Feb 12 – Feb 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 92257 get?

About 2.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Niland station).

How hot do summers get in Niland, CA?

The average high peaks at 103 °F in July, with about 152 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 92257 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Carsitas at the center of ZIP 92257: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Niland, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 92257 came on Jan 28 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Niland, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92257 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.