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

Planting zone for 93665 — South Dos Palos, CA

ZIP code 93665 (South Dos Palos, Merced County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is January 26 and the first fall frost December 10.

Where ZIP 93665 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 frostJan 26
First frostDec 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 South Dos Palos, 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 South Dos Palos, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJanuary 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsFebruary 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 10median — 10% chance by Nov 26
Growing season322 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 6 and returns around December 24.

From the NOAA station Los Banos, CA — 14 miles away, elevation 121 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 93665

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 15 – Jan 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 17 – Dec 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 1 – Dec 15
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 17 – Dec 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 15 – Oct 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 26 – Dec 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 26) and first fall frost (Dec 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 93665 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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 South Dos Palos, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93665 is Dospalos — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Dospalos clay, partially drained.

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 93665; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Dos Palos, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, December
Hot days97days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights16nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,205base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 42 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation9.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 39 °F 56°39° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 46 °F 68°46° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 60 °F 89°60° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 64 °F 95°64° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 63 °F 94°63° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 60 °F 90°60° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 38 °F 56°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.07 in precipitation 2.1 JanFebruary: 1.83 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 1.34 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 0.65 in precipitation 0.7 AprMay: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 OctNovember: 0.85 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 1.66 in precipitation 1.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Los Banos, CA (14 mi away); precipitation: Los Banos, CA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

936209a
Dos Palos, CA · 6 mi
936229b
Firebaugh, CA · 12 mi
936359a
Los Banos, CA · 13 mi
953179a
El Nido, CA · 14 mi
936619a
Santa Rita Park, CA · 15 mi
953419a
Merced, CA · 20 mi
936109a
Chowchilla, CA · 22 mi
936409a
Mendota, CA · 23 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93665

What planting zone is ZIP code 93665?

ZIP code 93665 (South Dos Palos, 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 South Dos Palos, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93665 is January 26; after February 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Los Banos station.

When is the first frost in South Dos Palos, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93665 is December 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 322 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93665?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 1 – Dec 15 and set transplants outside around Feb 2 – Feb 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93665 get?

About 9.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Los Banos station).

How hot do summers get in South Dos Palos, CA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 97 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93665 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dospalos at the center of ZIP 93665: clay, poorly drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in South Dos Palos, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93665 came on Jan 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Dos Palos, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93665 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.