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

Planting zone for 95019 — Freedom, CA

ZIP code 95019 (Freedom, Santa Cruz County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 31 and the first fall frost December 9.

Where ZIP 95019 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 31
First frostDec 9
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 Freedom, 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 Freedom, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJanuary 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 9median — 10% chance by Nov 20
Growing season317 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 3 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Watsonville Municipal Airport, CA — within 1 mile, elevation 161 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 95019

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 6 – Dec 20
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 14 – Oct 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 25 – Dec 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 9) 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 95019 came on Jan 23 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

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 Freedom, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95019 is Pinto — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Pinto loam, 0 to 2 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 95019; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Freedom, CA

Summer high75 °Faverage high, September
Winter low39 °Faverage low, December
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights7nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,817base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 42 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
Precipitation22.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 42 °F 62°42° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 45 °F 66°45° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 48 °F 69°48° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° JunJuly: average high 72 °F, low 53 °F 72°53° JulAugust: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 JanFebruary: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 FebMarch: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 AprMay: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 MayJune: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.85 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 2.10 in precipitation 2.1 NovDecember: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Watsonville Municipal Airport, CA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Watsonville Municipal Airport, 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.

950769b
Watsonville, CA · 2 mi
950779b
Watsonville, CA · 2 mi
950019b
Aptos, CA · 7 mi
950039b
Aptos, CA · 7 mi
9503910a
Moss Landing, CA · 8 mi
950049b
Aromas, CA · 9 mi
950109b
Capitola, CA · 10 mi
950129b
Castroville, CA · 11 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95019

What planting zone is ZIP code 95019?

ZIP code 95019 (Freedom, 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 Freedom, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95019 is January 31; after March 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watsonville Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Freedom, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95019 is December 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 317 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95019?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 6 – Dec 20 and set transplants outside around Feb 7 – Feb 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95019 get?

About 22.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watsonville Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Freedom, CA?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in September, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95019 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pinto at the center of ZIP 95019: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Freedom, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95019 came on Jan 23 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Freedom, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95019 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.