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

Planting zone for 93551 — Palmdale, CA

ZIP code 93551 (Palmdale, Los Angeles County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 93551 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMar 10
First frostNov 19
2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Palmdale, 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 Palmdale, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 3
Growing season248 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 13 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Palmdale, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 2,612 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 93551

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 93551 came on Jan 29 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

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 Palmdale, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93551 is Godde — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Godde loam, 15 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 93551; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Palmdale, CA

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, December
Hot days118days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights38nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,415base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation10.9 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 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 46 °F 75°46° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 53 °F 83°53° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 61 °F 92°61° JunJuly: average high 98 °F, low 68 °F 98°68° JulAugust: average high 98 °F, low 66 °F 98°66° AugSeptember: average high 93 °F, low 60 °F 93°60° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 50 °F 81°50° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.47 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 1.74 in precipitation 1.7 MarApril: 0.58 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.17 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 OctNovember: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 1.80 in precipitation 1.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Palmdale, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Acton Escondido Fc261, CA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

935908b
Palmdale, CA · 6 mi
935998b
Palmdale, CA · 6 mi
935398b
Lancaster, CA · 9 mi
935848b
Lancaster, CA · 9 mi
935868b
Lancaster, CA · 9 mi
935109a
Acton, CA · 10 mi
935348a
Lancaster, CA · 10 mi
935528b
Palmdale, CA · 11 mi

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

Questions about 93551

What planting zone is ZIP code 93551?

ZIP code 93551 (Palmdale, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Palmdale, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93551 is March 10; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palmdale station.

When is the first frost in Palmdale, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93551 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 248 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93551?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 13 – Jan 27 and set transplants outside around Mar 17 – Mar 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93551 get?

About 10.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Acton Escondido Fc261 station).

How hot do summers get in Palmdale, CA?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in July, with about 118 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93551 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Godde at the center of ZIP 93551: loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Palmdale, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93551 came on Jan 29 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Palmdale, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93551 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93551 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93551 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.