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

Planting zone for 93522 — Darwin, CA

ZIP code 93522 (Darwin, Inyo County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 93522 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 17
First frostNov 1
2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Darwin, 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 Darwin, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Haiwee, CA — 24 miles away, elevation 3,826 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 93522

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 93522 came on Feb 5 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

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 Darwin, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93522 is Lithic Torriorthents — gravelly loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.34%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lithic Torriorthents and Ustic Haplargids, shallow; mesic hills and mountains.

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 93522; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Darwin, CA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, December
Hot days109days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,941base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation6.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 51 °F, low 27 °F 51°27° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 34 °F 62°34° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 39 °F 69°39° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 47 °F 78°47° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 56 °F 89°56° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 62 °F 94°62° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 61 °F 93°61° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 54 °F 87°54° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 43 °F 75°43° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 33 °F 60°33° NovDecember: average high 50 °F, low 26 °F 50°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 JanFebruary: 1.48 in precipitation 1.5 FebMarch: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 MarApril: 0.22 in precipitation 0.2 AprMay: 0.21 in precipitation 0.2 MayJune: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.23 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.21 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 OctNovember: 0.33 in precipitation 0.3 NovDecember: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Haiwee, CA (24 mi away); precipitation: Haiwee, CA (24 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

935498b
Olancha, CA · 15 mi
935308b
Keeler, CA · 21 mi
935458a
Lone Pine, CA · 32 mi
935428b
Little Lake, CA · 32 mi
923289a
Death Valley, CA · 34 mi
935278b
Inyokern, CA · 38 mi
935929a
Trona, CA · 40 mi
935629a
Trona, CA · 45 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93522

What planting zone is ZIP code 93522?

ZIP code 93522 (Darwin, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Darwin, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93522 is April 17; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Haiwee station.

When is the first frost in Darwin, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93522 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93522?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93522 get?

About 6.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Haiwee station).

How hot do summers get in Darwin, CA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 109 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93522 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lithic Torriorthents at the center of ZIP 93522: gravelly loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Darwin, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93522 came on Feb 5 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Darwin, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93522 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.