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

Planting zone for 93252 — Maricopa, CA

ZIP code 93252 (Maricopa, Kern County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 93252 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 15
First frostNov 4
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Maricopa, 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 Maricopa, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station New Cuyama Fire Stn, CA — 21 miles away, elevation 2,159 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 93252

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 93252 came on Feb 4 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

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 Maricopa, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93252 is Los Robles family — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Los Robles-Trigo families-Orthents association, 30 to 60 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 93252; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Maricopa, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, December
Hot days96days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights60nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,977base 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
Precipitation15.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 33 °F 61°33° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 34 °F 62°34° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 37 °F 66°37° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 40 °F 71°40° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 45 °F 80°45° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 51 °F 88°51° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 57 °F 95°57° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 56 °F 94°56° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 52 °F 89°52° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 43 °F 78°43° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 36 °F 68°36° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 32 °F 61°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 FebMarch: 2.26 in precipitation 2.3 MarApril: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 AprMay: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.23 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 2.30 in precipitation 2.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: New Cuyama Fire Stn, CA (21 mi away); precipitation: Frazier Park 10.7 Wsw, CA (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

932228b
Pine Mountain Club, CA · 10 mi
932257b
Frazier Park, CA · 19 mi
930238b
Ojai, CA · 21 mi
934609b
Santa Ynez, CA · 24 mi
930408b
Piru, CA · 24 mi
932689b
Taft, CA · 25 mi
930249b
Ojai, CA · 25 mi
9301310b
Carpinteria, CA · 26 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93252

What planting zone is ZIP code 93252?

ZIP code 93252 (Maricopa, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Maricopa, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93252 is April 15; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Cuyama Fire Stn station.

When is the first frost in Maricopa, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93252 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93252?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93252 get?

About 15.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Frazier Park 10.7 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Maricopa, CA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 96 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93252 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Los Robles family at the center of ZIP 93252: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Maricopa, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93252 came on Feb 4 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Maricopa, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93252 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93252 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93252 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.