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

Planting zone for 93923 — Carmel, CA

ZIP code 93923 (Carmel, Monterey County) is in USDA zone 10a: the coldest winter night averages 30 to 35 °F. The median last spring frost is February 20 and the first fall frost December 8.

Where ZIP 93923 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.

Zone10a30 to 35 °F

Coldest night−1.1 to 1.7 °C

Last frostFeb 20

First frostDec 8

2012 zone10a

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 10a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Carmel, 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 Carmel, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 8median — 10% chance by Nov 14

Growing season294 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 3 and returns around December 22.

From the NOAA station Carmel Valley, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 479 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 93923

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 13 – Oct 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 24 – Dec 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 20) and first fall frost (Dec 8) 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 93923 came on Jan 17 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
Jan 17

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 Carmel, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93923 is Sur — stony sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureStony sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sur-Junipero complex.

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 93923; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carmel, CA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, September

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights12nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,207base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 39 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation22.6 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: Carmel Valley, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: San Clemente Dam, CA (6 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.

939249b

Carmel Valley, CA · 9 mi

Carmel By The Sea, CA · 12 mi

Pebble Beach, CA · 15 mi

9394410a

Monterey, CA · 15 mi

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

Questions about 93923

What planting zone is ZIP code 93923?

ZIP code 93923 (Carmel, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 10a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 30 to 35 °F (−1.1 to 1.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Carmel, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93923 is February 20; after March 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmel Valley station.

When is the first frost in Carmel, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93923 is December 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 294 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93923?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 26 – Jan 9 and set transplants outside around Feb 27 – Mar 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93923 get?

About 22.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, San Clemente Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Carmel, CA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in September, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93923 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sur at the center of ZIP 93923: stony sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Carmel, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93923 came on Jan 17 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carmel, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93923 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.