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

Planting zone for 93254 — New Cuyama, CA

ZIP code 93254 (New Cuyama, Santa Barbara County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 93254 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 frostApr 15
First frostNov 4
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for New Cuyama, 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 New Cuyama, 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 — 7 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 93254

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 93254 came on Jan 24 — 7 days earlier than 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 New Cuyama, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93254 is Kettleman — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kettleman fine sandy loam, 30 to 75 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 93254; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Cuyama, 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 48 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation7.4 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″January: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 JanFebruary: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 FebMarch: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 MarApril: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 AprMay: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 MayJune: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JunJuly: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.22 in precipitation 0.2 OctNovember: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: New Cuyama Fire Stn, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: New Cuyama Fire Stn, CA (7 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.

934609b
Santa Ynez, CA · 19 mi
9344110a
Los Olivos, CA · 22 mi
932249b
Fellows, CA · 24 mi
934649a
Solvang, CA · 26 mi
934549b
Santa Maria, CA · 26 mi
932689b
Taft, CA · 27 mi
932528b
Maricopa, CA · 27 mi
934409b
Los Alamos, CA · 29 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93254

What planting zone is ZIP code 93254?

ZIP code 93254 (New Cuyama, 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 New Cuyama, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93254 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 New Cuyama, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93254 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93254?

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 93254 get?

About 7.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Cuyama Fire Stn station).

How hot do summers get in New Cuyama, 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 93254 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kettleman at the center of ZIP 93254: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in New Cuyama, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93254 came on Jan 24 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Cuyama, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93254 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93254 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93254 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.