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

Planting zone for 95004 — Aromas, CA

ZIP code 95004 (Aromas, Monterey County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost December 13.

Where ZIP 95004 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 frostJan 28
First frostDec 13
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 Aromas, 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 Aromas, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJanuary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 25
Growing season324 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 2 and returns around December 26.

From the NOAA station Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA — 9 miles away, elevation 95 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 95004

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 17 – Jan 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 19 – Dec 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 7 – Jan 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 3 – Dec 17
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 19 – Dec 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 18 – Nov 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 29 – Jan 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 28) and first fall frost (Dec 13) 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 95004 came on Jan 23 — 5 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 Aromas, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95004 is Arnold — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Arnold loamy sand, 30 to 50 percent slopes, severely er oded.

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 95004; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Aromas, CA

Summer high74 °Faverage high, September
Winter low39 °Faverage low, December
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights8nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,937base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation21.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 42 °F 63°42° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 49 °F 69°49° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 52 °F 71°52° JunJuly: average high 71 °F, low 54 °F 71°54° JulAugust: average high 72 °F, low 55 °F 72°55° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 53 °F 74°53° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 FebMarch: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 MarApril: 1.57 in precipitation 1.6 AprMay: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 MayJune: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.85 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 1.66 in precipitation 1.7 NovDecember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Aromas 2.0 Ssw, CA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

950459b
San Juan Bautista, CA · 7 mi
950779b
Watsonville, CA · 7 mi
939079b
Salinas, CA · 8 mi
9503910a
Moss Landing, CA · 8 mi
950129b
Castroville, CA · 8 mi
950769b
Watsonville, CA · 8 mi
950199b
Freedom, CA · 9 mi
950219b
Gilroy, CA · 10 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95004

What planting zone is ZIP code 95004?

ZIP code 95004 (Aromas, 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 Aromas, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95004 is January 28; after March 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watsonville Wtr Wks station.

When is the first frost in Aromas, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95004 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 324 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95004?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 3 – Dec 17 and set transplants outside around Feb 4 – Feb 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95004 get?

About 21.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aromas 2.0 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Aromas, CA?

The average high peaks at 74 °F in September, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95004 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Arnold at the center of ZIP 95004: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Aromas, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95004 came on Jan 23 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Aromas, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95004 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.