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

Planting zone for 93924 — Carmel Valley, CA

ZIP code 93924 (Carmel Valley, Monterey County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 20 and the first fall frost December 8.

Where ZIP 93924 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F
Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C
Last frostFeb 20
First frostDec 8
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 Carmel Valley, 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 Valley, 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 93924

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 93924 came on Jan 18 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

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 Valley, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93924 is Sheridan — coarse sandy loam, well drained.

TextureCoarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sheridan coarse sandy loam, 30 to 75 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 93924; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carmel Valley, 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

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 51 °F 79°51° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 51 °F 80°51° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 51 °F 81°51° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 48 °F 78°48° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° NovDecember: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 JanFebruary: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 FebMarch: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 1.55 in precipitation 1.6 AprMay: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.92 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 1.87 in precipitation 1.9 NovDecember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carmel Valley, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: San Clemente Dam, CA (4 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.

9392310a
Carmel, CA · 9 mi
9394010a
Monterey, CA · 14 mi
939629b
Spreckels, CA · 14 mi
939089b
Salinas, CA · 15 mi
939269b
Gonzales, CA · 15 mi
939019b
Salinas, CA · 16 mi
9395510a
Seaside, CA · 16 mi
939279b
Greenfield, CA · 17 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93924

What planting zone is ZIP code 93924?

ZIP code 93924 (Carmel Valley, 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 Carmel Valley, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93924 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 Valley, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93924 is December 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 294 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93924?

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 93924 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Carmel Valley, 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 93924 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sheridan at the center of ZIP 93924: coarse sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Carmel Valley, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93924 came on Jan 18 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carmel Valley, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93924 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.