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

Planting zone for 93930 — King City, CA

ZIP code 93930 (King City, Monterey County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 23 and the first fall frost November 22.

Where ZIP 93930 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 frostFeb 23
First frostNov 22
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 King City, 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 King City, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season271 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 22 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station King City, CA — 3 miles away, elevation 322 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 93930

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Feb 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 27 – Oct 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 8 – Dec 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 23) and first fall frost (Nov 22) 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 93930 came on Jan 25 — 3 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 King City, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93930 is Docas — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Docas silty clay loam, 2 to 9 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 93930; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in King City, CA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, December
Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights27nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,940base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation11.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 42 °F 70°42° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 44 °F 74°44° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 48 °F 78°48° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 51 °F 83°51° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 54 °F 85°54° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 54 °F 85°54° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 52 °F 85°52° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 46 °F 80°46° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 41 °F 70°41° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 JanFebruary: 2.54 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 1.98 in precipitation 2.0 MarApril: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 AprMay: 0.35 in precipitation 0.3 MayJune: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 OctNovember: 0.98 in precipitation 1.0 NovDecember: 2.05 in precipitation 2.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: King City, CA (3 mi away); precipitation: King City, CA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

939549a
San Lucas, CA · 10 mi
939329a
Lockwood, CA · 15 mi
934509a
San Ardo, CA · 17 mi
939279b
Greenfield, CA · 18 mi
939609b
Soledad, CA · 20 mi
950439a
Paicines, CA · 23 mi
939289a
Jolon, CA · 23 mi
934269a
Bradley, CA · 26 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93930

What planting zone is ZIP code 93930?

ZIP code 93930 (King City, 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 King City, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93930 is February 23; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, King City station.

When is the first frost in King City, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93930 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 271 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93930?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 29 – Jan 12 and set transplants outside around Mar 2 – Mar 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93930 get?

About 11.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, King City station).

How hot do summers get in King City, CA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93930 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Docas at the center of ZIP 93930: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in King City, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93930 came on Jan 25 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in King City, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93930 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.