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

Planting zone for 95231 — French Camp, CA

ZIP code 95231 (French Camp, San Joaquin County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 6 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 95231 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 6
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 French Camp, 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 French Camp, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsFebruary 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 15
Growing season304 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 10 and returns around December 16.

From the NOAA station Stockton Metro Airport, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 26 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 95231

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 28 – Dec 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 16 – Jan 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 28 – Dec 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
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 6) 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 95231 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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 French Camp, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95231 is Honcut — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Honcut sandy loam, 0 to 2 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 95231; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in French Camp, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, December
Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,040base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation13.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 57 °F, low 39 °F 57°39° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 47 °F 75°47° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 53 °F 83°53° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 58 °F 90°58° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 61 °F 95°61° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 60 °F 94°60° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 58 °F 90°58° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 51 °F 80°51° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 38 °F 57°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 JanFebruary: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 1.91 in precipitation 1.9 MarApril: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 AprMay: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 MayJune: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.69 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 1.40 in precipitation 1.4 NovDecember: 2.41 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Stockton Metro Airport, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Stockton Metro Airport, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

952149b
Stockton, CA · 4 mi
952139b
Stockton, CA · 4 mi
953309b
Lathrop, CA · 4 mi
953369b
Manteca, CA · 6 mi
952969b
Stockton, CA · 6 mi
952019b
Stockton, CA · 6 mi
952029b
Stockton, CA · 6 mi
952039b
Stockton, CA · 6 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95231

What planting zone is ZIP code 95231?

ZIP code 95231 (French Camp, 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 French Camp, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95231 is February 6; after February 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stockton Metro Airport station.

When is the first frost in French Camp, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95231 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 304 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95231?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 12 – Dec 26 and set transplants outside around Feb 13 – Feb 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95231 get?

About 13.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stockton Metro Airport station).

How hot do summers get in French Camp, CA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 88 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95231 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Honcut at the center of ZIP 95231: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in French Camp, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95231 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in French Camp, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95231 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.