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

Planting zone for 95374 — Stevinson, CA

ZIP code 95374 (Stevinson, Merced County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 95374 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMar 28
First frostNov 14
2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Stevinson, 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 Stevinson, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 12 and returns around November 29.

From the NOAA station Merced 23 Wsw, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 79 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 95374

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 95374 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 Stevinson, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95374 is Hilmar — loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hilmar loamy sand, slightly saline-alkali, 0 to 3 percent slope.

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 95374; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stevinson, CA

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, December
Hot days98days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights45nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,009base 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
Precipitation10.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 41 °F 73°41° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 45 °F 82°45° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 50 °F 90°50° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 54 °F 96°54° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 52 °F 94°52° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 50 °F 90°50° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 45 °F 79°45° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 38 °F 65°38° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.40 in precipitation 2.4 JanFebruary: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 1.75 in precipitation 1.8 MarApril: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 AprMay: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 OctNovember: 0.87 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 1.47 in precipitation 1.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Merced 23 Wsw, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Merced 23 Wsw, CA (6 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.

953249a
Hilmar, CA · 6 mi
953349a
Livingston, CA · 6 mi
953159b
Delhi, CA · 9 mi
953609b
Newman, CA · 10 mi
953809b
Turlock, CA · 11 mi
953019a
Atwater, CA · 11 mi
953819b
Turlock, CA · 13 mi
953139b
Crows Landing, CA · 13 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95374

What planting zone is ZIP code 95374?

ZIP code 95374 (Stevinson, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Stevinson, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95374 is March 28; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Merced 23 Wsw station.

When is the first frost in Stevinson, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95374 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95374?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95374 get?

About 10.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Merced 23 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Stevinson, CA?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 98 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95374 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hilmar at the center of ZIP 95374: loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Stevinson, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95374 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 Stevinson, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95374 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.