Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 93902 — Salinas, CA

Q: What planting zone is ZIP code 93902?

ZIP code 93902 (Salinas, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

Q: When is the last frost in Salinas, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93902 is February 4; after March 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salinas #2 station.

Q: When is the first frost in Salinas, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93902 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 311 days.

Q: When should I plant tomatoes in 93902?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 10 – Dec 24 and set transplants outside around Feb 11 – Feb 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

Q: How much rain and snow does 93902 get?

About 15.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salinas #2 station).

Q: How hot do summers get in Salinas, CA?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in September, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Q: What kind of soil does 93902 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Salinas at the center of ZIP 93902: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Q: Did spring come early in Salinas, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93902 came on Jan 21 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

Q: What kind of onions grow in Salinas, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93902 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

ZIP code 93902 (Salinas, Monterey County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost December 6.

Where ZIP 93902 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostFeb 4

First frostDec 6

2012 zone9b

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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Salinas, 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 Salinas, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostFebruary 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 18

Growing season311 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around December 31 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Salinas #2, CA — within 1 mile, elevation 46 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 93902

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 26 – Dec 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 26 – Dec 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 4) and first fall frost (Dec 6) 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 93902 came on Jan 21 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
Jan 21

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 Salinas, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93902 is Salinas — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Salinas clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14.

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 93902; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Salinas, CA

Summer high75 °Faverage high, September

Winter low40 °Faverage low, December

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights7nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,973base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation15.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Salinas #2, CA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Salinas #2, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

All 8 ZIP codes in Salinas → · California planting zones →

Questions about 93902

What planting zone is ZIP code 93902?

ZIP code 93902 (Salinas, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Salinas, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93902 is February 4; after March 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salinas #2 station.

When is the first frost in Salinas, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93902 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 311 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93902?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 10 – Dec 24 and set transplants outside around Feb 11 – Feb 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93902 get?

About 15.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salinas #2 station).

How hot do summers get in Salinas, CA?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in September, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93902 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Salinas at the center of ZIP 93902: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Salinas, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93902 came on Jan 21 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Salinas, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93902 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.