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

Planting zone for 95348 — Merced, CA

ZIP code 95348 (Merced, Merced County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost November 24.

Where ZIP 95348 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 frostMar 3
First frostNov 24
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 Merced, 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 Merced, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 5
Growing season263 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 2 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Merced, CA — 9 miles away, elevation 154 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 95348

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 29 – Oct 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 10 – Dec 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 3) and first fall frost (Nov 24) 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 95348 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 Merced, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95348 is Redding — gravelly loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.52%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Redding gravelly loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, dry.

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 95348; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Merced, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, December
Hot days106days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights24nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,678base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 45 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
Precipitation12.5 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 54 °F, low 37 °F 54°37° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 46 °F 73°46° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 52 °F 82°52° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 57 °F 89°57° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 62 °F 95°62° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 60 °F 94°60° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 56 °F 89°56° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 49 °F 79°49° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 JanFebruary: 2.24 in precipitation 2.2 FebMarch: 1.89 in precipitation 1.9 MarApril: 1.01 in precipitation 1.0 AprMay: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 MayJune: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 1.18 in precipitation 1.2 NovDecember: 1.98 in precipitation 2.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Merced, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Merced, CA (9 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.

953889b
Winton, CA · 5 mi
953409a
Merced, CA · 8 mi
953439a
Merced, CA · 8 mi
953449a
Merced, CA · 8 mi
953129b
Cressey, CA · 8 mi
953699b
Snelling, CA · 9 mi
953039b
Ballico, CA · 10 mi
953019a
Atwater, CA · 12 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Merced → · California planting zones →

Questions about 95348

What planting zone is ZIP code 95348?

ZIP code 95348 (Merced, 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 Merced, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95348 is March 3; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Merced station.

When is the first frost in Merced, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95348 is November 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 263 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95348?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 6 – Jan 20 and set transplants outside around Mar 10 – Mar 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95348 get?

About 12.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Merced station).

How hot do summers get in Merced, CA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 106 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95348 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Redding at the center of ZIP 95348: gravelly loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Merced, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95348 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 Merced, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95348 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95348 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95348 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.