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

Planting zone for 95306 — Catheys Valley, CA

ZIP code 95306 (Catheys Valley, Mariposa County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost November 25.

Where ZIP 95306 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 26
First frostNov 25
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Catheys 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 Catheys Valley, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 25median — 10% chance by Nov 9
Growing season273 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 22 and returns around December 10.

From the NOAA station Merced Municipal Airport, CA — 22 miles away, elevation 151 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 95306

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Feb 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 30 – Oct 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 11 – Dec 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 26) and first fall frost (Nov 25) 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 95306 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 Catheys Valley, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95306 is Daulton — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Daulton very rocky loam, 15 to 30 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 95306; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Catheys Valley, CA

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, December
Hot days100days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights28nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,882base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation23.7 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 56 °F, low 37 °F 56°37° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 45 °F 74°45° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 52 °F 83°52° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 58 °F 91°58° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 62 °F 96°62° JulAugust: average high 95 °F, low 61 °F 95°61° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 57 °F 91°57° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 49 °F 80°49° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 1.82 in precipitation 1.8 AprMay: 1.23 in precipitation 1.2 MayJune: 0.26 in precipitation 0.3 JunJuly: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.17 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 2.33 in precipitation 2.3 NovDecember: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Merced Municipal Airport, CA (22 mi away); precipitation: Catheys Valley 1.2 S, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

953339a
Le Grand, CA · 11 mi
953259b
Hornitos, CA · 11 mi
953659a
Planada, CA · 12 mi
953389a
Mariposa, CA · 12 mi
936539b
Raymond, CA · 14 mi
953409a
Merced, CA · 16 mi
953459a
Midpines, CA · 18 mi
953699b
Snelling, CA · 19 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95306

What planting zone is ZIP code 95306?

ZIP code 95306 (Catheys 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 Catheys Valley, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95306 is February 26; after April 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Merced Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Catheys Valley, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95306 is November 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 273 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95306?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 1 – Jan 15 and set transplants outside around Mar 5 – Mar 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95306 get?

About 23.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Catheys Valley 1.2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Catheys Valley, CA?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 100 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95306 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Daulton at the center of ZIP 95306: loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

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

Spring leaf-out near 95306 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 Catheys Valley, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95306 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95306 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95306 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.