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

Planting zone for 95427 — Comptche, CA

ZIP code 95427 (Comptche, Mendocino County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 95427 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 frostMay 5
First frostOct 9
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 Comptche, 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 Comptche, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Willits 1 Ne, CA — 17 miles away, elevation 1,352 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 95427

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 95427 came on Jan 29 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

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 Comptche, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95427 is Ornbaun — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.5strongly 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: Ornbaun-Zeni complex, 30 to 50 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 95427; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Comptche, CA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, December
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights95nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,093base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation44.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 44 °F 76°44° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 48 °F 84°48° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 46 °F 83°46° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 42 °F 82°42° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 37 °F 72°37° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 8.46 in precipitation 8.5 JanFebruary: 7.17 in precipitation 7.2 FebMarch: 6.09 in precipitation 6.1 MarApril: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.35 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 NovDecember: 8.77 in precipitation 8.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Willits 1 Ne, CA (17 mi away); precipitation: Ukiah 8.4 Nw, CA (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

954639b
Navarro, CA · 4 mi
954109b
Albion, CA · 7 mi
9545610a
Little River, CA · 10 mi
9546010a
Mendocino, CA · 10 mi
954329b
Elk, CA · 11 mi
954209b
Caspar, CA · 13 mi
954669b
Philo, CA · 14 mi
954379b
Fort Bragg, CA · 15 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95427

What planting zone is ZIP code 95427?

ZIP code 95427 (Comptche, 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 Comptche, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95427 is May 5; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Willits 1 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Comptche, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95427 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95427?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95427 get?

About 44.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ukiah 8.4 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Comptche, CA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95427 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ornbaun at the center of ZIP 95427: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Comptche, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95427 came on Jan 29 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Comptche, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95427 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.