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

Planting zone for 95066 — Scotts Valley, CA

ZIP code 95066 (Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 95066 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 frostMar 25
First frostNov 11
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 Scotts Valley, 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 Scotts Valley, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 6 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Ben Lomond #4, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 420 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 95066

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 95066 came on Jan 19 — 9 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 Scotts Valley, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95066 is Nisene — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nisene-Aptos complex, 50 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 95066; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Scotts Valley, CA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, August
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days54days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights37nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,982base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 43 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
Precipitation39.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 65 °F, low 37 °F 65°37° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 39 °F 67°39° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 41 °F 71°41° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 42 °F 75°42° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 46 °F 80°46° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 49 °F 86°49° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 51 °F 88°51° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 51 °F 90°51° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 49 °F 89°49° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 44 °F 83°44° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 40 °F 71°40° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 37 °F 64°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.36 in precipitation 7.4 JanFebruary: 7.27 in precipitation 7.3 FebMarch: 7.81 in precipitation 7.8 MarApril: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 AprMay: 1.30 in precipitation 1.3 MayJune: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 1.47 in precipitation 1.5 OctNovember: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 7.42 in precipitation 7.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ben Lomond #4, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Felton 4.5 Nne, CA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

950679b
Scotts Valley, CA · 1 mi
950419a
Mount Hermon, CA · 3 mi
950189b
Felton, CA · 3 mi
950659b
Santa Cruz, CA · 3 mi
950059a
Ben Lomond, CA · 5 mi
950739b
Soquel, CA · 5 mi
950649b
Santa Cruz, CA · 6 mi
9506310a
Santa Cruz, CA · 6 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Scotts Valley → · California planting zones →

Questions about 95066

What planting zone is ZIP code 95066?

ZIP code 95066 (Scotts Valley, 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 Scotts Valley, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95066 is March 25; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ben Lomond #4 station.

When is the first frost in Scotts Valley, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95066 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95066?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95066 get?

About 39.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Felton 4.5 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Scotts Valley, CA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in August, with about 54 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95066 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nisene at the center of ZIP 95066: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Scotts Valley, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95066 came on Jan 19 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Scotts Valley, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95066 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.