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

Planting zone for 95417 — Branscomb, CA

ZIP code 95417 (Branscomb, Mendocino County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 95417 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 2
First frostDec 1
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 Branscomb, 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 Branscomb, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 9
Growing season272 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 7 and returns around December 21.

From the NOAA station Ft Bragg 5 N, CA — 14 miles away, elevation 125 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 95417

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 2) and first fall frost (Dec 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 95417 came on Feb 2 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

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 Branscomb, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95417 is Gschwend — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gschwend-Frenchman complex, 0 to 9 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 95417; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Branscomb, CA

Summer high65 °Faverage high, July
Winter low40 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights12nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,186base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation57.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 40 °F 52°40° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 41 °F 54°41° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 41 °F 55°41° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 42 °F 57°42° AprMay: average high 60 °F, low 45 °F 60°45° MayJune: average high 63 °F, low 47 °F 63°47° JunJuly: average high 65 °F, low 49 °F 65°49° JulAugust: average high 65 °F, low 50 °F 65°50° AugSeptember: average high 65 °F, low 49 °F 65°49° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 46 °F 62°46° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 43 °F 56°43° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 40 °F 52°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 11.37 in precipitation 11.4 JanFebruary: 9.08 in precipitation 9.1 FebMarch: 7.94 in precipitation 7.9 MarApril: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 2.27 in precipitation 2.3 MayJune: 0.82 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 OctNovember: 7.61 in precipitation 7.6 NovDecember: 10.74 in precipitation 10.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ft Bragg 5 N, CA (14 mi away); precipitation: Laytonville 9.8 Nnw, CA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

954889b
Westport, CA · 8 mi
954549a
Laytonville, CA · 11 mi
955859a
Leggett, CA · 12 mi
954299a
Dos Rios, CA · 16 mi
954379b
Fort Bragg, CA · 17 mi
955879a
Piercy, CA · 20 mi
954909a
Willits, CA · 22 mi
954209b
Caspar, CA · 24 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95417

What planting zone is ZIP code 95417?

ZIP code 95417 (Branscomb, 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 Branscomb, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95417 is March 2; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Bragg 5 N station.

When is the first frost in Branscomb, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95417 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 272 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95417?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 5 – Jan 19 and set transplants outside around Mar 9 – Mar 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95417 get?

About 57.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laytonville 9.8 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Branscomb, CA?

The average high peaks at 65 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95417 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gschwend at the center of ZIP 95417: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Branscomb, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95417 came on Feb 2 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Branscomb, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95417 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.