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

Planting zone for 95018 — Felton, CA

ZIP code 95018 (Felton, 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 95018 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 Felton, 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 Felton, 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 95018

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 95018 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as 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 Felton, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95018 is Zayante — coarse sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureCoarse 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: Zayante coarse sand, 5 to 30 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 95018; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Felton, 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 37 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

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

950059a
Ben Lomond, CA · 2 mi
950419a
Mount Hermon, CA · 2 mi
950669b
Scotts Valley, CA · 3 mi
950679b
Scotts Valley, CA · 3 mi
950079b
Brookdale, CA · 4 mi
950659b
Santa Cruz, CA · 5 mi
950649b
Santa Cruz, CA · 6 mi
9502610a
Holy City, CA · 7 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95018

What planting zone is ZIP code 95018?

ZIP code 95018 (Felton, 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 Felton, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95018 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 Felton, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95018 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95018?

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 95018 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Felton, 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 95018 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zayante at the center of ZIP 95018: coarse sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Felton, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95018 came on Jan 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Felton, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95018 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.