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

Planting zone for 95045 — San Juan Bautista, CA

ZIP code 95045 (San Juan Bautista, San Benito County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 95045 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 frostFeb 19
First frostDec 1
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 San Juan Bautista, 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 San Juan Bautista, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 12
Growing season287 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 16 and returns around December 14.

From the NOAA station Hollister 2, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 276 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 95045

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 19) and first fall frost (Dec 1) 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 95045 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 San Juan Bautista, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95045 is San Benito — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: San Benito clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded, MLRA 15.

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 95045; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in San Juan Bautista, CA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, August
Winter low38 °Faverage low, December
Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights18nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,401base 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
Precipitation13.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 51 °F 78°51° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 53 °F 81°53° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 JanFebruary: 2.65 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 2.23 in precipitation 2.2 MarApril: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 AprMay: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.09 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 OctNovember: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 NovDecember: 2.27 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 2.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hollister 2, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Hollister 2, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

950249b
Hollister, CA · 7 mi
950049b
Aromas, CA · 7 mi
939079b
Salinas, CA · 9 mi
939069b
Salinas, CA · 10 mi
939059b
Salinas, CA · 11 mi
950129b
Castroville, CA · 12 mi
950239b
Hollister, CA · 13 mi
939029b
Salinas, CA · 13 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95045

What planting zone is ZIP code 95045?

ZIP code 95045 (San Juan Bautista, 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 San Juan Bautista, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95045 is February 19; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hollister 2 station.

When is the first frost in San Juan Bautista, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95045 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 287 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95045?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 25 – Jan 8 and set transplants outside around Feb 26 – Mar 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95045 get?

About 13.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hollister 2 station).

How hot do summers get in San Juan Bautista, CA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in August, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95045 have?

The USDA soil survey maps San Benito at the center of ZIP 95045: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in San Juan Bautista, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95045 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 San Juan Bautista, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95045 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.