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

Planting zone for 93535 — Lancaster, CA

ZIP code 93535 (Lancaster, Los Angeles County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 93535 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 frostMar 18
First frostNov 15
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 Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Oct 30
Growing season241 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 19 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Palmdale Airport, CA — 12 miles away, elevation 2,523 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 93535

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 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 93535 came on Feb 1 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

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 Lancaster, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93535 is Hesperia — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Hesperia fine sandy 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 93535; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lancaster, CA

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, December
Hot days113days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,158base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation7.9 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 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 36 °F 62°36° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 53 °F 82°53° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 60 °F 91°60° JunJuly: average high 98 °F, low 67 °F 98°67° JulAugust: average high 98 °F, low 66 °F 98°66° AugSeptember: average high 92 °F, low 59 °F 92°59° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 49 °F 80°49° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 38 °F 67°38° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 32 °F 58°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.52 in precipitation 1.5 JanFebruary: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 1.12 in precipitation 1.1 MarApril: 0.45 in precipitation 0.5 AprMay: 0.26 in precipitation 0.3 MayJune: 0.09 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 OctNovember: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 1.09 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Palmdale Airport, CA (12 mi away); precipitation: Lancaster 6.5 Ene, CA (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

935918b
Palmdale, CA · 8 mi
935528b
Palmdale, CA · 11 mi
935398b
Lancaster, CA · 14 mi
935848b
Lancaster, CA · 14 mi
935868b
Lancaster, CA · 14 mi
935248a
Edwards, CA · 15 mi
935348a
Lancaster, CA · 15 mi
935908b
Palmdale, CA · 15 mi

All 6 ZIP codes in Lancaster → · California planting zones →

Questions about 93535

What planting zone is ZIP code 93535?

ZIP code 93535 (Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93535 is March 18; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palmdale Airport station.

When is the first frost in Lancaster, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93535 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 241 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93535?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 21 – Feb 4 and set transplants outside around Mar 25 – Apr 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93535 get?

About 7.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lancaster 6.5 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Lancaster, CA?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in July, with about 113 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93535 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hesperia at the center of ZIP 93535: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lancaster, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93535 came on Feb 1 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lancaster, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93535 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.