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

Planting zone for 93515 — Bishop, CA

ZIP code 93515 (Bishop, Inyo County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 93515 is

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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 29
First frostOct 15
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bishop, 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 Bishop, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Bishop Airport, CA — 2 miles away, elevation 4,101 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 93515

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27
BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 93515 came on Feb 16 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

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 Bishop, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93515 is Dehy — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigated and drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Dehy loam, 0 to 2 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 93515; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bishop, CA

Summer high100 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, December
Hot days104days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,886base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation7.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 24 °F 56°24° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 26 °F 59°26° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 31 °F 67°31° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 37 °F 74°37° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 44 °F 83°44° MayJune: average high 94 °F, low 51 °F 94°51° JunJuly: average high 100 °F, low 57 °F 100°57° JulAugust: average high 98 °F, low 54 °F 98°54° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 47 °F 90°47° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 37 °F 78°37° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 27 °F 64°27° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 22 °F 55°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.90 in precipitation 0.9 JanFebruary: 1.20 in precipitation 1.2 FebMarch: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 MarApril: 0.39 in precipitation 0.4 AprMay: 0.89 in precipitation 0.9 MayJune: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 JulAugust: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.77 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bishop Airport, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Bishop 1.7 Sw, CA (2 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.

935147a
Bishop, CA · 9 mi
935137a
Big Pine, CA · 23 mi
935466a
Mammoth Lakes, CA · 28 mi
936426a
Mono Hot Springs, CA · 34 mi
936345b
Lakeshore, CA · 35 mi
935268a
Independence, CA · 36 mi
890107a
Dyer, NV · 36 mi
935126b
Benton, CA · 38 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Bishop → · California planting zones →

Questions about 93515

What planting zone is ZIP code 93515?

ZIP code 93515 (Bishop, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Bishop, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93515 is April 29; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bishop Airport station.

When is the first frost in Bishop, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93515 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93515?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93515 get?

About 7.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bishop 1.7 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Bishop, CA?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in July, with about 104 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93515 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dehy at the center of ZIP 93515: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bishop, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93515 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bishop, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93515 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93515 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93515 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.