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

Planting zone for 93601 — Ahwahnee, CA

ZIP code 93601 (Ahwahnee, Madera County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 93601 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 frostMay 24
First frostOct 10
2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ahwahnee, 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 Ahwahnee, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station So Entrance Yosemite Np, CA — 10 miles away, elevation 5,046 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 93601

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21
BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 93601 came on Jan 22 — 14 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 Ahwahnee, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93601 is Holland — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Holland sandy loam, 30 to 45 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 93601; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ahwahnee, CA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, December
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights159nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,747base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation34.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 44 °F 73°44° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 51 °F 80°51° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 49 °F 80°49° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 45 °F 75°45° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 37 °F 64°37° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 30 °F 53°30° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 26 °F 44°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 6.37 in precipitation 6.4 JanFebruary: 5.94 in precipitation 5.9 FebMarch: 5.76 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 2.96 in precipitation 3.0 AprMay: 1.72 in precipitation 1.7 MayJune: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.32 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 1.80 in precipitation 1.8 OctNovember: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 5.98 in precipitation 6.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: So Entrance Yosemite Np, CA (10 mi away); precipitation: Mariposa 12.5 E, CA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

936238a
Fish Camp, CA · 7 mi
936449a
Oakhurst, CA · 8 mi
936048b
Bass Lake, CA · 12 mi
936149a
Coarsegold, CA · 12 mi
936699a
Wishon, CA · 12 mi
936539b
Raymond, CA · 13 mi
953389a
Mariposa, CA · 16 mi
936439a
North Fork, CA · 17 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93601

What planting zone is ZIP code 93601?

ZIP code 93601 (Ahwahnee, 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 Ahwahnee, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93601 is May 24; after June 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, So Entrance Yosemite Np station.

When is the first frost in Ahwahnee, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93601 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93601?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93601 get?

About 34.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mariposa 12.5 E station).

How hot do summers get in Ahwahnee, CA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93601 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Holland at the center of ZIP 93601: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Ahwahnee, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93601 came on Jan 22 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ahwahnee, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93601 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.