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

Planting zone for 93960 — Soledad, CA

ZIP code 93960 (Soledad, Monterey County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 93960 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 frostApr 23
First frostNov 3
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 Soledad, 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 Soledad, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 12 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Pinnacles Nm, CA — 9 miles away, elevation 1,306 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 93960

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 93960 came on Jan 23 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

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 Soledad, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 93960 is Metz — fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Metz 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 93960; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Soledad, CA

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, December
Hot days102days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights67nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,934base 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
Precipitation16.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 63 °F, low 34 °F 63°34° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 36 °F 64°36° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 38 °F 68°38° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 39 °F 72°39° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 43 °F 80°43° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 47 °F 89°47° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 50 °F 96°50° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 50 °F 96°50° AugSeptember: average high 92 °F, low 48 °F 92°48° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 43 °F 83°43° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 37 °F 70°37° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 33 °F 62°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.46 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 2.80 in precipitation 2.8 MarApril: 0.96 in precipitation 1.0 AprMay: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 MayJune: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 1.27 in precipitation 1.3 NovDecember: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pinnacles Nm, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Pinnacles Nm, CA (9 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.

939269b
Gonzales, CA · 9 mi
939279b
Greenfield, CA · 10 mi
939259b
Chualar, CA · 13 mi
939249b
Carmel Valley, CA · 18 mi
939309a
King City, CA · 20 mi
939089b
Salinas, CA · 22 mi
939629b
Spreckels, CA · 23 mi
939289a
Jolon, CA · 24 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 93960

What planting zone is ZIP code 93960?

ZIP code 93960 (Soledad, 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 Soledad, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 93960 is April 23; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pinnacles Nm station.

When is the first frost in Soledad, CA?

The median first fall frost near 93960 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 93960?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 93960 get?

About 16.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pinnacles Nm station).

How hot do summers get in Soledad, CA?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 102 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 93960 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Metz at the center of ZIP 93960: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Soledad, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 93960 came on Jan 23 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Soledad, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 93960 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.