Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 95039 — Moss Landing, CA

ZIP code 95039 (Moss Landing, Monterey County) is in USDA zone 10a: the coldest winter night averages 30 to 35 °F. The median last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost December 13.

Where ZIP 95039 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.

Zone10a30 to 35 °F

Coldest night−1.1 to 1.7 °C

Last frostJan 28

First frostDec 13

2012 zone9b

Was 9b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 10a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Moss Landing, 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 Moss Landing, 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 — 7 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 95039

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 95039 came on Jan 22 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
Jan 22

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 Moss Landing, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95039 is Santa Ynez — fine gravelly fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine gravelly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Santa Ynez fine sandy loam, 2 to 9 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 95039; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Moss Landing, 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

Precipitation17.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Castroville 1.6 Ene, CA (4 mi away). 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.

950129b

Castroville, CA · 3 mi

950779b

Watsonville, CA · 6 mi

Watsonville, CA · 8 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95039

What planting zone is ZIP code 95039?

ZIP code 95039 (Moss Landing, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 10a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 30 to 35 °F (−1.1 to 1.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Moss Landing, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95039 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 Moss Landing, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95039 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 324 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95039?

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 95039 get?

About 17.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Castroville 1.6 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Moss Landing, 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 95039 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Santa Ynez at the center of ZIP 95039: fine gravelly fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Moss Landing, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95039 came on Jan 22 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Moss Landing, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95039 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95039 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95039 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 10a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.