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

Planting zone for 93536 — Lancaster, CA

ZIP code 93536 (Lancaster, Los Angeles County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost November 29.

Where ZIP 93536 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 6
First frostNov 29
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 frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 29median — 10% chance by Nov 5
Growing season236 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 25 and returns around December 10.

From the NOAA station Fairmont, CA — 3 miles away, elevation 3,061 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 93536

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 4 – Oct 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 15 – Dec 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Nov 29) 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 93536 came on Jan 31 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

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 93536 is Vista — coarse sandy loam, well drained.

TextureCoarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vista coarse sandy loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded.

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 93536; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lancaster, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August
Winter low37 °Faverage low, December
Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights24nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,970base 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
Precipitation15.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 38 °F 56°38° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 43 °F 63°43° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 46 °F 68°46° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 62 °F 86°62° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 68 °F 92°68° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 68 °F 93°68° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 62 °F 88°62° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 4.43 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 4.4❄1 FebMarch: 2.46 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 2.5 MarApril: 0.95 in precipitation 0.9 AprMay: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 2.21 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 2.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fairmont, CA (3 mi away); precipitation: Fairmont, CA (3 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.

935329a
Lake Hughes, CA · 9 mi
935608b
Rosamond, CA · 11 mi
913909b
Santa Clarita, CA · 13 mi
935348a
Lancaster, CA · 13 mi
935519a
Palmdale, CA · 14 mi
935398b
Lancaster, CA · 15 mi
935848b
Lancaster, CA · 15 mi
935868b
Lancaster, CA · 15 mi

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

Questions about 93536

What planting zone is ZIP code 93536?

ZIP code 93536 (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 93536 is April 6; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairmont station.

When is the first frost in Lancaster, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93536 is November 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 236 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93536?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93536 get?

About 15.8 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairmont station).

How hot do summers get in Lancaster, CA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93536 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vista at the center of ZIP 93536: coarse sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Lancaster, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93536 came on Jan 31 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lancaster, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93536 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.