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

Planting zone for 93539 — Lancaster, CA

ZIP code 93539 (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 3 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 93539 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 3
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 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 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season211 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Lancaster Wm J Fox Field, CA — 5 miles away, elevation 2,339 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 93539

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
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 3) 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 93539 came on Feb 4 — about the same time as 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 93539 is Tray — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.6alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.3%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Tray sandy loam, very slightly saline.

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 93539; 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 low30 °Faverage low, December
Hot days109days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights68nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,029base 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 31 °F 59°31° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 35 °F 62°35° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°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 62 °F 91°62° JunJuly: average high 98 °F, low 67 °F 98°67° JulAugust: average high 98 °F, low 65 °F 98°65° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 57 °F 91°57° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 46 °F 80°46° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 35 °F 67°35° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 30 °F 58°30° 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: Lancaster Wm J Fox Field, CA (5 mi away); precipitation: Lancaster 6.5 Ene, CA (4 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.

935848b
Lancaster, CA · <1 mi
935868b
Lancaster, CA · <1 mi
935348a
Lancaster, CA · 2 mi
935908b
Palmdale, CA · 8 mi
935998b
Palmdale, CA · 8 mi
935519a
Palmdale, CA · 9 mi
935528b
Palmdale, CA · 10 mi
935358b
Lancaster, CA · 14 mi

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

Questions about 93539

What planting zone is ZIP code 93539?

ZIP code 93539 (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 93539 is April 3; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lancaster Wm J Fox Field station.

When is the first frost in Lancaster, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93539 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 211 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93539?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93539 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 109 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93539 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tray at the center of ZIP 93539: sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 8.6 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Lancaster, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93539 came on Feb 4 in 2026, about the same as 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 93539 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.