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

Planting zone for 95436 — Forestville, CA

ZIP code 95436 (Forestville, Sonoma County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 95436 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 20
First frostNov 13
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Forestville, 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 Forestville, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Oct 26
Growing season240 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 1 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Graton, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 200 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 95436

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 95436 came on Jan 29 — 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 Forestville, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95436 is Hugo — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hugo very gravelly loam, 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 95436; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Forestville, CA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, August
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights43nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,190base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation42.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 42 °F 70°42° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 46 °F 75°46° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 48 °F 81°48° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 51 °F 83°51° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 50 °F 84°50° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 48 °F 84°48° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 44 °F 78°44° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 8.78 in precipitation 8.8 JanFebruary: 8.08 in precipitation 8.1 FebMarch: 5.50 in precipitation 5.5 MarApril: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 AprMay: 1.52 in precipitation 1.5 MayJune: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 JunJuly: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 1.96 in precipitation 2.0 OctNovember: 4.29 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 9.58 in precipitation 9.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Graton, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Forestville 0.7 Sw, CA (within 1 mile). 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.

954449a
Graton, CA · 4 mi
954719b
Rio Nido, CA · 5 mi
954199b
Camp Meeker, CA · 5 mi
954929a
Windsor, CA · 6 mi
954469b
Guerneville, CA · 6 mi
954629b
Monte Rio, CA · 6 mi
954869b
Villa Grande, CA · 6 mi
954729a
Sebastopol, CA · 7 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95436

What planting zone is ZIP code 95436?

ZIP code 95436 (Forestville, 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 Forestville, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95436 is March 20; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Graton station.

When is the first frost in Forestville, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95436 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 240 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95436?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95436 get?

About 42.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Forestville 0.7 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Forestville, CA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in August, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95436 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hugo at the center of ZIP 95436: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Forestville, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95436 came on Jan 29 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 Forestville, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95436 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95436 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95436 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.