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

Planting zone for 95065 — Santa Cruz, CA

ZIP code 95065 (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 95065 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 — 3 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 95065

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 95065 came on Jan 20 — 8 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 95065 is Bonnydoon — loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bonnydoon loam, 5 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 4B.

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 95065; 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 (3 mi away); precipitation: Santa Cruz, CA (3 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.

950679b
Scotts Valley, CA · 2 mi
950669b
Scotts Valley, CA · 3 mi
950739b
Soquel, CA · 3 mi
9506310a
Santa Cruz, CA · 4 mi
9506210a
Santa Cruz, CA · 4 mi
950109b
Capitola, CA · 4 mi
950419a
Mount Hermon, CA · 4 mi
9506110a
Santa Cruz, CA · 5 mi

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

Questions about 95065

What planting zone is ZIP code 95065?

ZIP code 95065 (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 95065 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 95065 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 323 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95065?

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 95065 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 95065 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bonnydoon at the center of ZIP 95065: loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 95065 came on Jan 20 in 2026, 8 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 95065 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.