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

Planting zone for 92338 — Ludlow, CA

ZIP code 92338 (Ludlow, San Bernardino County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost November 26.

Where ZIP 92338 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 frostFeb 19
First frostNov 26
2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ludlow, 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 Ludlow, 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 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 26median — 10% chance by Nov 10
Growing season279 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 28 and returns around December 9.

From the NOAA station Barstow Daggett Airport, CA — 30 miles away, elevation 1,916 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 92338

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 1 – Oct 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 12 – Dec 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 19) and first fall frost (Nov 26) 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 92338 came on Jan 28 — about the same time as 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 Ludlow, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92338 is Lithic Torriorthents — very gravelly fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureVery gravelly fine sandy loamdrains 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 matter0.3%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lithic Torriorthents, Typic Haplocalcids, and Rock outcrop; hyperthermic hills and mountains.

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 92338; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ludlow, CA

Summer high105 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, December
Hot days145days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights24nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,868base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 30 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation3.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°120°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° JanFebruary: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° FebMarch: average high 73 °F, low 46 °F 73°46° MarApril: average high 80 °F, low 51 °F 80°51° AprMay: average high 89 °F, low 60 °F 89°60° MayJune: average high 99 °F, low 68 °F 99°68° JunJuly: average high 105 °F, low 74 °F 105°74° JulAugust: average high 104 °F, low 73 °F 104°73° AugSeptember: average high 96 °F, low 66 °F 96°66° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″January: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.70 in precipitation 0.7 FebMarch: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 MarApril: 0.22 in precipitation 0.2 AprMay: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 MayJune: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JunJuly: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.17 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 OctNovember: 0.32 in precipitation 0.3 NovDecember: 0.56 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Barstow Daggett Airport, CA (30 mi away); precipitation: Barstow Daggett Airport, CA (30 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

923659a
Newberry Springs, CA · 19 mi
923099a
Baker, CA · 32 mi
923279a
Daggett, CA · 34 mi
922859a
Landers, CA · 34 mi
923989a
Yermo, CA · 37 mi
923568b
Lucerne Valley, CA · 42 mi
923109a
Fort Irwin, CA · 48 mi
923147a
Big Bear City, CA · 48 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 92338

What planting zone is ZIP code 92338?

ZIP code 92338 (Ludlow, 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 Ludlow, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92338 is February 19; after March 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Barstow Daggett Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ludlow, CA?

The median first fall frost near 92338 is November 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 279 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 92338?

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 92338 get?

About 3.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Barstow Daggett Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Ludlow, CA?

The average high peaks at 105 °F in July, with about 145 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 92338 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lithic Torriorthents at the center of ZIP 92338: very gravelly fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Ludlow, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 92338 came on Jan 28 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ludlow, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92338 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.