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

Planting zone for 95318 — El Portal, CA

ZIP code 95318 (El Portal, Mariposa County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 95318 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMay 12
First frostNov 1
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for El Portal, 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 El Portal, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season171 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Yosemite Village 12 W, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 6,621 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 95318

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Nov 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 95318 came on Jan 28 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

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 El Portal, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95318 is Dystric Xeropsamments — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter70%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dystric Xeropsamments-Dystric Xerorthents association, 0 to 20 percent slopes, mountain valleys, thermic.

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 95318; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in El Portal, CA

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July
Winter low31 °Faverage low, February
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights88nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,151base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation40.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 32 °F 44°32° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 31 °F 42°31° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 32 °F 45°32° MarApril: average high 49 °F, low 36 °F 49°36° AprMay: average high 58 °F, low 43 °F 58°43° MayJune: average high 67 °F, low 52 °F 67°52° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 60 °F 75°60° JulAugust: average high 75 °F, low 59 °F 75°59° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 54 °F 70°54° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 46 °F 60°46° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 37 °F 49°37° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 32 °F 43°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 6.86 in precipitation 6.9 JanFebruary: 5.63 in precipitation 5.6 FebMarch: 5.81 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 2.40 in precipitation 2.4 MayJune: 0.76 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 2.28 in precipitation 2.3 OctNovember: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 NovDecember: 7.65 in precipitation 7.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Yosemite Village 12 W, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Yosemite Village 12 W, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

953459a
Midpines, CA · 10 mi
953389a
Mariposa, CA · 15 mi
936238a
Fish Camp, CA · 15 mi
953118b
Coulterville, CA · 16 mi
953216a
Groveland, CA · 18 mi
936019a
Ahwahnee, CA · 19 mi
936449a
Oakhurst, CA · 21 mi
936048b
Bass Lake, CA · 27 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95318

What planting zone is ZIP code 95318?

ZIP code 95318 (El Portal, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in El Portal, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95318 is May 12; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Yosemite Village 12 W station.

When is the first frost in El Portal, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95318 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 171 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95318?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95318 get?

About 40.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Yosemite Village 12 W station).

How hot do summers get in El Portal, CA?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95318 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dystric Xeropsamments at the center of ZIP 95318: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

Did spring come early in El Portal, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95318 came on Jan 28 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in El Portal, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95318 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95318 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95318 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.