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

Planting zone for 93556 — Ridgecrest, CA

ZIP code 93556 (Ridgecrest, Kern County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 93556 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 frostMar 11
First frostNov 12
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 Ridgecrest, 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 Ridgecrest, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season244 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 20 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station China Lake Naf, CA — 5 miles away, elevation 2,231 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 93556

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 11) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 93556 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 Ridgecrest, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93556 is Xeric Torriorthents — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.3%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Xeric Torriorthents, Typic Torrifluvents, and Aeric Halaquepts; thermic basins.

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 93556; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ridgecrest, CA

Summer high105 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, December
Hot days141days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,075base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation4.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°120°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 31 °F 60°31° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 35 °F 65°35° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 42 °F 72°42° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 47 °F 79°47° AprMay: average high 88 °F, low 56 °F 88°56° MayJune: average high 99 °F, low 64 °F 99°64° JunJuly: average high 105 °F, low 70 °F 105°70° JulAugust: average high 103 °F, low 69 °F 103°69° AugSeptember: average high 95 °F, low 61 °F 95°61° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 49 °F 83°49° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 37 °F 69°37° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 30 °F 60°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.94 in precipitation 0.9 JanFebruary: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 MarApril: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 AprMay: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 MayJune: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 OctNovember: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 NovDecember: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: China Lake Naf, CA (5 mi away); precipitation: China Lake Naf, 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.

935558b
Ridgecrest, CA · 3 mi
935289a
Johannesburg, CA · 17 mi
935549a
Randsburg, CA · 18 mi
935929a
Trona, CA · 19 mi
935589a
Red Mountain, CA · 20 mi
935629a
Trona, CA · 21 mi
932559a
Onyx, CA · 24 mi
935428b
Little Lake, CA · 25 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Ridgecrest → · California planting zones →

Questions about 93556

What planting zone is ZIP code 93556?

ZIP code 93556 (Ridgecrest, 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 Ridgecrest, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93556 is March 11; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, China Lake Naf station.

When is the first frost in Ridgecrest, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93556 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 244 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93556?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 14 – Jan 28 and set transplants outside around Mar 18 – Apr 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93556 get?

About 4.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, China Lake Naf station).

How hot do summers get in Ridgecrest, CA?

The average high peaks at 105 °F in July, with about 141 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93556 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Xeric Torriorthents at the center of ZIP 93556: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Ridgecrest, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93556 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 Ridgecrest, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93556 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.