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

Planting zone for 95432 — Elk, CA

ZIP code 95432 (Elk, Mendocino County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 95432 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 19
First frostNov 20
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 Elk, 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 Elk, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 2
Growing season245 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 6 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Ukiah, CA — 24 miles away, elevation 637 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 95432

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 25 – Oct 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 6 – Dec 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 20) 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 95432 came on Jan 27 — 4 days earlier than 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 Elk, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95432 is Yellowhound — 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: Yellowhound-Kibesillah complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes, MLRA 4B.

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 95432; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elk, CA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, December
Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights34nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,702base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation42.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 42 °F 70°42° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 47 °F 76°47° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 52 °F 83°52° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 56 °F 91°56° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 54 °F 91°54° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 51 °F 87°51° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 46 °F 77°46° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.63 in precipitation 7.6 JanFebruary: 7.51 in precipitation 7.5 FebMarch: 6.12 in precipitation 6.1 MarApril: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 AprMay: 1.65 in precipitation 1.6 MayJune: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.25 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 OctNovember: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 8.77 in precipitation 8.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ukiah, CA (24 mi away); precipitation: Boonville 2.2 Wsw, CA (14 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 · 7 mi
954669b
Philo, CA · 8 mi
954109b
Albion, CA · 9 mi
954599b
Manchester, CA · 9 mi
954279b
Comptche, CA · 11 mi
9545610a
Little River, CA · 12 mi
954689b
Point Arena, CA · 13 mi
9546010a
Mendocino, CA · 15 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95432

What planting zone is ZIP code 95432?

ZIP code 95432 (Elk, 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 Elk, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95432 is March 19; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ukiah station.

When is the first frost in Elk, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95432 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 245 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95432?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95432 get?

About 42.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boonville 2.2 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Elk, CA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95432 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Yellowhound at the center of ZIP 95432: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Elk, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95432 came on Jan 27 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elk, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95432 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.