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

Planting zone for 95350 — Modesto, CA

ZIP code 95350 (Modesto, Stanislaus County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 31 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 95350 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 frostJan 31
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 Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJanuary 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsFebruary 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 20
Growing season312 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 8 and returns around December 21.

From the NOAA station Modesto City Co. Airport, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 72 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 95350

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 6 – Dec 20
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
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 (Jan 31) 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 95350 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

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 Modesto, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95350 is Chualar — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Chualar sandy loam, 0 to 3 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 95350; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Modesto, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low39 °Faverage low, January
Hot days90days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights12nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,078base 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
Precipitation13.1 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 39 °F 56°39° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 42 °F 62°42° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 54 °F 82°54° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 59 °F 90°59° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 63 °F 95°63° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 62 °F 94°62° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 59 °F 89°59° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 52 °F 79°52° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 39 °F 56°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.35 in precipitation 2.4 JanFebruary: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 MarApril: 0.91 in precipitation 0.9 AprMay: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 MayJune: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.09 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 NovDecember: 2.52 in precipitation 2.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Modesto City Co. Airport, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Modesto 4.1 Nw, CA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

953529b
Modesto, CA · 1 mi
953979b
Modesto, CA · 1 mi
953539b
Modesto, CA · 2 mi
953549b
Modesto, CA · 3 mi
953559b
Modesto, CA · 3 mi
953519b
Modesto, CA · 3 mi
953569b
Modesto, CA · 4 mi
953689b
Salida, CA · 5 mi

All 10 ZIP codes in Modesto → · California planting zones →

Questions about 95350

What planting zone is ZIP code 95350?

ZIP code 95350 (Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95350 is January 31; after February 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Modesto City Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Modesto, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95350 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 312 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95350?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 6 – Dec 20 and set transplants outside around Feb 7 – Feb 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95350 get?

About 13.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Modesto 4.1 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Modesto, CA?

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

What kind of soil does 95350 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chualar at the center of ZIP 95350: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Modesto, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95350 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Modesto, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95350 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.