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

Planting zone for 93460 — Santa Ynez, CA

ZIP code 93460 (Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 27.

Where ZIP 93460 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 frostMar 20
First frostNov 27
2012 zone9b

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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Santa Ynez, 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 Santa Ynez, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 27median — 10% chance by Nov 4
Growing season250 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 8 and returns around December 13.

From the NOAA station Gibraltar Dam #2, CA — 11 miles away, elevation 1,558 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 93460

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 2 – Oct 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 13 – Dec 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 27) 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 93460 came on Jan 25 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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 Santa Ynez, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93460 is Lodo family — clay loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lodo-Hambright-Millsholm families 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 93460; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Santa Ynez, CA

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August
Winter low34 °Faverage low, December
Hot days109days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights39nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,433base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation28.6 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 66 °F, low 36 °F 66°36° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 38 °F 70°38° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 41 °F 76°41° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 46 °F 80°46° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 49 °F 88°49° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 55 °F 94°55° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 54 °F 96°54° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 51 °F 91°51° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 45 °F 83°45° OctNovember: average high 73 °F, low 40 °F 73°40° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 34 °F 64°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.06 in precipitation 7.1 JanFebruary: 7.56 in precipitation 7.6 FebMarch: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 1.65 in precipitation 1.6 AprMay: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 MayJune: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.09 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 OctNovember: 1.48 in precipitation 1.5 NovDecember: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gibraltar Dam #2, CA (11 mi away); precipitation: Gibraltar Dam #2, CA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

9310510a
Santa Barbara, CA · 10 mi
9311110a
Santa Barbara, CA · 16 mi
9311010b
Santa Barbara, CA · 16 mi
9310310b
Santa Barbara, CA · 17 mi
9311610a
Goleta, CA · 17 mi
9311810a
Goleta, CA · 17 mi
9310810b
Santa Barbara, CA · 17 mi
9310210b
Santa Barbara, CA · 18 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93460

What planting zone is ZIP code 93460?

ZIP code 93460 (Santa Ynez, 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 Santa Ynez, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93460 is March 20; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gibraltar Dam #2 station.

When is the first frost in Santa Ynez, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93460 is November 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93460?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93460 get?

About 28.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gibraltar Dam #2 station).

How hot do summers get in Santa Ynez, CA?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 109 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93460 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lodo family at the center of ZIP 93460: clay loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Santa Ynez, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93460 came on Jan 25 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Santa Ynez, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93460 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.