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

Planting zone for 95309 — Chinese Camp, CA

ZIP code 95309 (Chinese Camp, Tuolumne County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 95309 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 frostApr 9
First frostNov 9
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 Chinese 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 Chinese Camp, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 19
Growing season213 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Sonora, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 1,677 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 95309

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 95309 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 Chinese Camp, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95309 is Flanly — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Flanly-Verjeles complex, 0 to 8 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 95309; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chinese Camp, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, December
Hot days75days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,560base 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
Precipitation32.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 46 °F 76°46° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 51 °F 85°51° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 57 °F 93°57° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 56 °F 92°56° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 51 °F 87°51° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 43 °F 76°43° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 36 °F 63°36° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 6.32 in precipitation 6.3 JanFebruary: 5.50 in precipitation 5.5 FebMarch: 5.37 in precipitation 5.4 MarApril: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 AprMay: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 MayJune: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 JunJuly: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 1.64 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 5.51 in precipitation 5.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sonora, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Sonora, CA (7 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.

953279b
Jamestown, CA · 3 mi
953059b
Big Oak Flat, CA · 5 mi
953479b
Moccasin, CA · 8 mi
953709a
Sonora, CA · 9 mi
953739a
Standard, CA · 9 mi
953728b
Soulsbyville, CA · 12 mi
953299b
La Grange, CA · 13 mi
953798b
Tuolumne, CA · 14 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95309

What planting zone is ZIP code 95309?

ZIP code 95309 (Chinese 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 Chinese Camp, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95309 is April 9; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sonora station.

When is the first frost in Chinese Camp, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95309 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 213 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95309?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95309 get?

About 32.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sonora station).

How hot do summers get in Chinese Camp, CA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 75 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95309 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Flanly at the center of ZIP 95309: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 95309 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 Chinese Camp, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95309 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95309 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95309 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.