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

Planting zone for 95042 — New Almaden, CA

ZIP code 95042 (New Almaden, Santa Clara County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 2 and the first fall frost December 6.

Where ZIP 95042 is

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 frostFeb 2
First frostDec 6
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 New Almaden, 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 New Almaden, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 16
Growing season310 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 1 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Los Gatos, CA — 9 miles away, elevation 364 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 95042

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 2) and first fall frost (Dec 6) 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 95042 came on Jan 24 — 4 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 New Almaden, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95042 is Flaskan — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Flaskan sandy clay loam, 5 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 95042; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Almaden, CA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low40 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,769base 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
Precipitation22 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 59 °F, low 40 °F 59°40° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 53 °F 82°53° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 56 °F 85°56° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 56 °F 85°56° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 FebMarch: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 AprMay: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 MayJune: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.82 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 NovDecember: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Los Gatos, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Cambrian Park 2.2 Se, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

951209b
San Jose, CA · 1 mi
951609b
San Jose, CA · 4 mi
951199b
San Jose, CA · 4 mi
950329b
Los Gatos, CA · 4 mi
951399b
San Jose, CA · 5 mi
951939b
San Jose, CA · 5 mi
951239b
San Jose, CA · 5 mi
951539b
San Jose, CA · 5 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95042

What planting zone is ZIP code 95042?

ZIP code 95042 (New Almaden, 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 New Almaden, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95042 is February 2; after March 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Los Gatos station.

When is the first frost in New Almaden, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95042 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 310 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95042?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 8 – Dec 22 and set transplants outside around Feb 9 – Feb 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95042 get?

About 22 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cambrian Park 2.2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in New Almaden, CA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95042 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Flaskan at the center of ZIP 95042: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in New Almaden, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95042 came on Jan 24 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Almaden, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95042 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.