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

Planting zone for 93249 — Lost Hills, CA

ZIP code 93249 (Lost Hills, Kern 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 November 29.

Where ZIP 93249 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 frostNov 29
2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lost Hills, 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 Lost Hills, 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 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 29median — 10% chance by Nov 14
Growing season281 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 24 and returns around December 12.

From the NOAA station Kettleman City, CA — 27 miles away, elevation 240 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 93249

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 4 – Oct 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 15 – Dec 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 19) and first fall frost (Nov 29) 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 93249 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

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 Lost Hills, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93249 is Twisselman — clay, well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Twisselman clay, 0 to 2 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 93249; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lost Hills, CA

Summer high99 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days118days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,598base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation7.8 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 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 55 °F 84°55° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 62 °F 92°62° JunJuly: average high 99 °F, low 68 °F 99°68° JulAugust: average high 98 °F, low 66 °F 98°66° AugSeptember: average high 92 °F, low 61 °F 92°61° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 51 °F 81°51° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.64 in precipitation 1.6 JanFebruary: 1.44 in precipitation 1.4 FebMarch: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 MarApril: 0.76 in precipitation 0.8 AprMay: 0.31 in precipitation 0.3 MayJune: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.75 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 1.07 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kettleman City, CA (27 mi away); precipitation: Lost Hills, CA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

932519b
Mc Kittrick, CA · 20 mi
934618b
Shandon, CA · 21 mi
932049b
Avenal, CA · 23 mi
932809a
Wasco, CA · 25 mi
932069a
Buttonwillow, CA · 26 mi
932019a
Alpaugh, CA · 27 mi
932399b
Kettleman City, CA · 29 mi
932249b
Fellows, CA · 29 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93249

What planting zone is ZIP code 93249?

ZIP code 93249 (Lost Hills, 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 Lost Hills, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93249 is February 19; after March 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kettleman City station.

When is the first frost in Lost Hills, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93249 is November 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 281 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93249?

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 93249 get?

About 7.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lost Hills station).

How hot do summers get in Lost Hills, CA?

The average high peaks at 99 °F in July, with about 118 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93249 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Twisselman at the center of ZIP 93249: clay, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Lost Hills, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93249 came on Jan 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lost Hills, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93249 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93249 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93249 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.