Planting zone for 92562 — Murrieta, CA
ZIP code 92562 (Murrieta, Riverside County) is in USDA zone 10a: the coldest winter night averages 30 to 35 °F. The median last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost December 18.
Where ZIP 92562 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Murrieta, 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 Murrieta, CA
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 1 and returns around December 27.
From the NOAA station Elsinore, CA — 11 miles away, elevation 1,270 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 92562
Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 28) and first fall frost (Dec 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 92562 came on Jan 18 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).
Jan 222026
Jan 18
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 Murrieta, CA
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 92562 is Cieneba — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.
Map unit: Cieneba rocky sandy loam, 15 to 50 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 92562; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Murrieta, CA
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elsinore, CA (11 mi away); precipitation: Murrieta 3.6 Nne, CA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
7 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 92562
What planting zone is ZIP code 92562?
ZIP code 92562 (Murrieta, 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 Murrieta, CA?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 92562 is January 28; after February 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elsinore station.
When is the first frost in Murrieta, CA?
The median first fall frost near 92562 is December 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 329 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 92562?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 3 – Dec 17 and set transplants outside around Feb 4 – Feb 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 92562 get?
About 13.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Murrieta 3.6 Nne station).
How hot do summers get in Murrieta, CA?
The average high peaks at 98 °F in August, with about 123 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 92562 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Cieneba at the center of ZIP 92562: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).
Did spring come early in Murrieta, CA in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 92562 came on Jan 18 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Murrieta, CA?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 92562 is 14 h 23 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 92562 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 92562 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 10a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.