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

Planting zone for 95006 — Boulder Creek, CA

ZIP code 95006 (Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 95006 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 frostMar 25
First frostNov 11
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 Boulder Creek, 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 Boulder Creek, 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 — 7 miles away, 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 95006

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 95006 came on Jan 19 — 9 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 Boulder Creek, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95006 is Ben Lomond — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ben Lomond-Felton 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 95006; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Boulder Creek, 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
Precipitation42.8 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: 7.86 in precipitation 7.9 JanFebruary: 8.14 in precipitation 8.1 FebMarch: 7.44 in precipitation 7.4 MarApril: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 1.00 in precipitation 1.0 MayJune: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 9.06 in precipitation 9.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ben Lomond #4, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Boulder Creek 3.0 Nw, CA (within 1 mile). 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.

950079b
Brookdale, CA · 5 mi
950059a
Ben Lomond, CA · 6 mi
950179b
Davenport, CA · 7 mi
940219b
Loma Mar, CA · 8 mi
950189b
Felton, CA · 8 mi
940209b
La Honda, CA · 8 mi
950709b
Saratoga, CA · 8 mi
940609b
Pescadero, CA · 9 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95006

What planting zone is ZIP code 95006?

ZIP code 95006 (Boulder Creek, 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 Boulder Creek, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95006 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 Boulder Creek, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95006 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95006?

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 95006 get?

About 42.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boulder Creek 3.0 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Boulder Creek, 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 95006 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ben Lomond at the center of ZIP 95006: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Boulder Creek, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95006 came on Jan 19 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Boulder Creek, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95006 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.