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

Planting zone for 93932 — Lockwood, CA

ZIP code 93932 (Lockwood, 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 93932 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 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Lockwood, 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 Lockwood, 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 — 16 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 93932

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 93932 came on Jan 19 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

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 Lockwood, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93932 is Santa Lucia — channery clay loam, well drained.

TextureChannery clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Santa Lucia-Reliz association.

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 93932; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lockwood, 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 36 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation16.3 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″4″January: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 AprMay: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.09 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 1.15 in precipitation 1.1 NovDecember: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: King City, CA (16 mi away); precipitation: Lockwood 3.6 Nw, 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.

934269a
Bradley, CA · 11 mi
939309a
King City, CA · 15 mi
934509a
San Ardo, CA · 15 mi
939549a
San Lucas, CA · 16 mi
9345210a
San Simeon, CA · 19 mi
939289a
Jolon, CA · 24 mi
9392010b
Big Sur, CA · 26 mi
934479a
Paso Robles, CA · 26 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93932

What planting zone is ZIP code 93932?

ZIP code 93932 (Lockwood, 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 Lockwood, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93932 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 Lockwood, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93932 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 271 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93932?

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 93932 get?

About 16.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lockwood 3.6 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Lockwood, 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 93932 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Santa Lucia at the center of ZIP 93932: channery clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lockwood, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93932 came on Jan 19 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lockwood, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93932 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 93932 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 93932 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.