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

Planting zone for 93526 — Independence, CA

ZIP code 93526 (Independence, Inyo County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 93526 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 31
First frostNov 9
2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Independence, 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 Independence, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season224 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Independence, CA — 5 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 93526

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

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 93526 came on Feb 2 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

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 Independence, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93526 is Taboose — very gravelly loamy fine sand, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Taboose-Lava flows complex, 5 to 30 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 93526; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Independence, CA

Summer high102 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, December
Hot days119days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,436base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation5.4 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 58 °F, low 30 °F 58°30° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 33 °F 61°33° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 39 °F 69°39° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 44 °F 76°44° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 53 °F 85°53° MayJune: average high 96 °F, low 62 °F 96°62° JunJuly: average high 102 °F, low 67 °F 102°67° JulAugust: average high 101 °F, low 65 °F 101°65° AugSeptember: average high 93 °F, low 58 °F 93°58° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 48 °F 81°48° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 29 °F 57°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.36 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 FebMarch: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 MarApril: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 AprMay: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 MayJune: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 OctNovember: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.87 in precipitation 0.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Independence, CA (5 mi away); precipitation: Independence, CA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

935137a
Big Pine, CA · 13 mi
935458a
Lone Pine, CA · 21 mi
935308b
Keeler, CA · 32 mi
936287b
Hume, CA · 33 mi
935158a
Bishop, CA · 36 mi
932626b
Sequoia National Park, CA · 37 mi
936337b
Kings Canyon National Pk, CA · 40 mi
935147a
Bishop, CA · 44 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93526

What planting zone is ZIP code 93526?

ZIP code 93526 (Independence, 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 Independence, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93526 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 Independence, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93526 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 224 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93526?

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 93526 get?

About 5.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Independence station).

How hot do summers get in Independence, 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 93526 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Taboose at the center of ZIP 93526: very gravelly loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Independence, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93526 came on Feb 2 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Independence, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93526 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.