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

Planting zone for 95060 — Santa Cruz, CA

ZIP code 95060 (Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 29 and the first fall frost December 13.

Where ZIP 95060 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 29
First frostDec 13
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 Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJanuary 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsFebruary 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 23
Growing season323 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 3 and returns around December 27.

From the NOAA station Santa Cruz, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 69 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 95060

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 18 – Jan 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 20 – Dec 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 4 – Dec 18
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 20 – Dec 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
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 29) 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 95060 came on Jan 18 — 10 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 Santa Cruz, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95060 is Ben Lomond — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ben Lomond-Catelli-Sur complex, 30 to 75 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 95060; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Santa Cruz, CA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, September
Winter low41 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,271base 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
Precipitation30.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° JunJuly: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 6.42 in precipitation 6.4 JanFebruary: 6.10 in precipitation 6.1 FebMarch: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 2.04 in precipitation 2.0 AprMay: 0.87 in precipitation 0.9 MayJune: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 6.01 in precipitation 6.0 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

950649b
Santa Cruz, CA · 2 mi
9506110a
Santa Cruz, CA · 4 mi
950419a
Mount Hermon, CA · 5 mi
9506310a
Santa Cruz, CA · 5 mi
9506210a
Santa Cruz, CA · 6 mi
950679b
Scotts Valley, CA · 6 mi
950189b
Felton, CA · 7 mi
950659b
Santa Cruz, CA · 7 mi

All 6 ZIP codes in Santa Cruz → · California planting zones →

Questions about 95060

What planting zone is ZIP code 95060?

ZIP code 95060 (Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95060 is January 29; after February 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Santa Cruz station.

When is the first frost in Santa Cruz, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95060 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 323 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95060?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 4 – Dec 18 and set transplants outside around Feb 5 – Feb 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95060 get?

About 30.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Santa Cruz station).

How hot do summers get in Santa Cruz, CA?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in September, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95060 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ben Lomond at the center of ZIP 95060: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Santa Cruz, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95060 came on Jan 18 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Santa Cruz, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95060 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.