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

Planting zone for 94948 — Novato, CA

ZIP code 94948 (Novato, Marin County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost November 25.

Where ZIP 94948 is

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 28
First frostNov 25
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 Novato, 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 Novato, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 25median — 10% chance by Nov 9
Growing season271 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 17 and returns around December 9.

From the NOAA station Petaluma Airport, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 20 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 94948

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 30 – Oct 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 11 – Dec 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Nov 25) 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 94948 came on Jan 29 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

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 Novato, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 94948 is Tocaloma — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tocaloma-McMullin complex, 30 to 50 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 94948; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Novato, CA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, September
Winter low38 °Faverage low, December
Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights21nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,210base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 49 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation31.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 44 °F 68°44° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 50 °F 78°50° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 52 °F 81°52° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 53 °F 81°53° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 51 °F 82°51° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 38 °F 58°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 6.37 in precipitation 6.4 JanFebruary: 6.00 in precipitation 6.0 FebMarch: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 MarApril: 1.66 in precipitation 1.7 AprMay: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 MayJune: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 JunJuly: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.09 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 1.64 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 3.20 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 6.30 in precipitation 6.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Petaluma Airport, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Novato 2.7 Wnw, CA (3 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.

949459b
Novato, CA · 2 mi
949989b
Novato, CA · 2 mi
949479b
Novato, CA · 4 mi
949159b
San Rafael, CA · 5 mi
949549b
Petaluma, CA · 6 mi
949539a
Petaluma, CA · 7 mi
949559a
Petaluma, CA · 7 mi
949759a
Petaluma, CA · 7 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Novato → · California planting zones →

Questions about 94948

What planting zone is ZIP code 94948?

ZIP code 94948 (Novato, 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 Novato, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 94948 is February 28; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Petaluma Airport station.

When is the first frost in Novato, CA?

The median first fall frost near 94948 is November 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 271 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 94948?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 3 – Jan 17 and set transplants outside around Mar 7 – Mar 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 94948 get?

About 31.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Novato 2.7 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Novato, CA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in September, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 94948 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tocaloma at the center of ZIP 94948: loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Novato, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 94948 came on Jan 29 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Novato, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 94948 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.