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

Planting zone for 93512 — Benton, CA

ZIP code 93512 (Benton, Mono County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost September 17.

Where ZIP 93512 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostJun 10
First frostSep 17
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Benton, 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 Benton, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 17median — 10% chance by Sep 2
Growing season98 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 31 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Mammoth Lakes Rs, CA — 28 miles away, elevation 7,805 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 93512

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 13 – May 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
LettuceSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 17 – Jul 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 24 – Jul 8
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 17 – Jul 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 17 – Jul 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 17 – Jul 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 23 – Aug 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 3 – Oct 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 10) and first fall frost (Sep 17) 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 93512 came on Mar 7 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

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 Benton, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93512 is Pizona — cobbly loamy sand, well drained.

TextureCobbly loamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pizona-Brantel association, 2 to 50 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 93512; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Benton, CA

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights210nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,322base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation23.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 17 °F 41°17° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 18 °F 41°18° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 22 °F 46°22° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 27 °F 51°27° AprMay: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 42 °F 70°42° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 49 °F 78°49° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 47 °F 77°47° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 40 °F 71°40° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 30 °F 61°30° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 23 °F 49°23° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 17 °F 41°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 FebMarch: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 MarApril: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 AprMay: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 MayJune: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 JulAugust: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 AugSeptember: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 1.43 in precipitation 1.4 OctNovember: 2.00 in precipitation 2.0 NovDecember: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mammoth Lakes Rs, CA (28 mi away); precipitation: Mammoth Lakes Rs, CA (28 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.

890107a
Dyer, NV · 26 mi
935466a
Mammoth Lakes, CA · 28 mi
935416b
Lee Vining, CA · 29 mi
935147a
Bishop, CA · 29 mi
935296a
June Lake, CA · 35 mi
935158a
Bishop, CA · 38 mi
894227a
Mina, NV · 42 mi
894157a
Hawthorne, NV · 45 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93512

What planting zone is ZIP code 93512?

ZIP code 93512 (Benton, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Benton, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93512 is June 10; after June 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mammoth Lakes Rs station.

When is the first frost in Benton, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93512 is September 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 98 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93512?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 15 – Apr 29 and set transplants outside around Jun 17 – Jul 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93512 get?

About 23.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mammoth Lakes Rs station).

How hot do summers get in Benton, CA?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93512 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pizona at the center of ZIP 93512: cobbly loamy sand, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Benton, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93512 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Benton, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93512 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93512 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93512 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.