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

Planting zone for 95253 — Victor, CA

ZIP code 95253 (Victor, San Joaquin County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 95253 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 9
First frostDec 5
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 Victor, 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 Victor, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 17
Growing season301 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 12 and returns around December 20.

From the NOAA station Lodi, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 39 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 95253

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 29 – Jan 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 1 – Dec 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 19 – Feb 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 1 – Dec 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 10 – Oct 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 21 – Dec 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 9) and first fall frost (Dec 5) 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 95253 came on Jan 31 — 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 Victor, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95253 is Tokay — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Tokay fine 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 95253; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Victor, CA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low39 °Faverage low, December
Hot days78days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights20nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,747base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 49 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation17.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 57 °F, low 40 °F 57°40° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 42 °F 63°42° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 52 °F 81°52° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 57 °F 88°57° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 59 °F 92°59° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 58 °F 92°58° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 56 °F 89°56° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 50 °F 79°50° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 39 °F 57°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 MarApril: 1.51 in precipitation 1.5 AprMay: 0.87 in precipitation 0.9 MayJune: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 NovDecember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lodi, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Acampo 5ne, CA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

California planting zones →

Questions about 95253

What planting zone is ZIP code 95253?

ZIP code 95253 (Victor, 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 Victor, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95253 is February 9; after March 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lodi station.

When is the first frost in Victor, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95253 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 301 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95253?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 15 – Dec 29 and set transplants outside around Feb 16 – Mar 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95253 get?

About 17.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Acampo 5ne station).

How hot do summers get in Victor, CA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 78 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95253 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tokay at the center of ZIP 95253: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Victor, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95253 came on Jan 31 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 Victor, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95253 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.