Planting zone for 93513 — Big Pine, CA
ZIP code 93513 (Big Pine, Inyo County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 9.
Where ZIP 93513 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
Was 8a on the 2012 map — a full zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Big Pine, 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 Big Pine, CA
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 21.
From the NOAA station Independence, CA — 18 miles away, elevation 3,950 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 93513
Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 93513 came on Feb 20 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).
Mar 42026
Feb 20
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 Big Pine, CA
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93513 is Goodale — bouldery loamy coarse sand, somewhat excessively drained.
Map unit: Goodale loamy coarse sand, 5 to 15 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 93513; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Big Pine, CA
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Independence, CA (18 mi away); precipitation: South Lake, CA (16 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.
Questions about 93513
What planting zone is ZIP code 93513?
ZIP code 93513 (Big Pine, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).
When is the last frost in Big Pine, CA?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93513 is March 31; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Independence station.
When is the first frost in Big Pine, CA?
The median first fall frost near 93513 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 224 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 93513?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 93513 get?
About 17.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, South Lake station).
How hot do summers get in Big Pine, CA?
The average high peaks at 102 °F in July, with about 119 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 93513 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Goodale at the center of ZIP 93513: bouldery loamy coarse sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).
Did spring come early in Big Pine, CA in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 93513 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Big Pine, CA?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93513 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 93513 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93513 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.