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

Planting zone for 95005 — Ben Lomond, CA

ZIP code 95005 (Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 95005 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 frostMar 25
First frostNov 11
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 Ben Lomond, 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 Ben Lomond, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 6 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Ben Lomond #4, CA — within 1 mile, elevation 420 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 95005

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 95005 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as 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 Ben Lomond, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95005 is Nisene — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; 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: Nisene-Aptos complex, 50 to 75 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 95005; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ben Lomond, CA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, August
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days54days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights37nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,982base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 36 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation49.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 65 °F, low 37 °F 65°37° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 39 °F 67°39° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 41 °F 71°41° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 42 °F 75°42° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 46 °F 80°46° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 49 °F 86°49° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 51 °F 88°51° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 51 °F 90°51° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 49 °F 89°49° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 44 °F 83°44° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 40 °F 71°40° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 37 °F 64°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 10.42 in precipitation 10.4 JanFebruary: 9.68 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 9.7 FebMarch: 7.00 in precipitation 7.0 MarApril: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 MayJune: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 OctNovember: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 NovDecember: 10.43 in precipitation 10.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ben Lomond #4, CA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Ben Lomond #4, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

950079b
Brookdale, CA · 2 mi
950189b
Felton, CA · 2 mi
950419a
Mount Hermon, CA · 4 mi
950669b
Scotts Valley, CA · 5 mi
950679b
Scotts Valley, CA · 5 mi
950069b
Boulder Creek, CA · 6 mi
9502610a
Holy City, CA · 7 mi
9504410a
Redwood Estates, CA · 7 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95005

What planting zone is ZIP code 95005?

ZIP code 95005 (Ben Lomond, 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 Ben Lomond, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95005 is March 25; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ben Lomond #4 station.

When is the first frost in Ben Lomond, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95005 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95005?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95005 get?

About 49.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ben Lomond #4 station).

How hot do summers get in Ben Lomond, CA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in August, with about 54 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95005 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nisene at the center of ZIP 95005: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ben Lomond, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95005 came on Jan 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ben Lomond, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95005 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.