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

Planting zone for 95445 — Gualala, CA

ZIP code 95445 (Gualala, Mendocino County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost December 3.

Where ZIP 95445 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 frostFeb 25
First frostDec 3
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 Gualala, 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 Gualala, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 3median — 10% chance by Nov 14
Growing season279 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 12 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Cloverdale, CA — 24 miles away, elevation 400 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 95445

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Feb 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 8 – Oct 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 19 – Dec 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 25) and first fall frost (Dec 3) 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 95445 came on Jan 20 — 10 days earlier than 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 Gualala, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95445 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-Ornbaun complex, 30 to 50 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 95445; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gualala, CA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, January
Hot days84days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,557base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 27 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 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 45 °F 74°45° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 50 °F 82°50° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 54 °F 89°54° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 55 °F 94°55° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 55 °F 93°55° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 54 °F 90°54° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 49 °F 81°49° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° 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: Cloverdale, CA (24 mi away); precipitation: Boonville 2.2 Wsw, CA (12 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.

9549710a
The Sea Ranch, CA · 7 mi
954949b
Yorkville, CA · 8 mi
954689b
Point Arena, CA · 9 mi
9548010a
Stewarts Point, CA · 12 mi
954129b
Annapolis, CA · 12 mi
954599b
Manchester, CA · 12 mi
954159b
Boonville, CA · 14 mi
954669b
Philo, CA · 16 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95445

What planting zone is ZIP code 95445?

ZIP code 95445 (Gualala, 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 Gualala, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95445 is February 25; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cloverdale station.

When is the first frost in Gualala, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95445 is December 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 279 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95445?

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

How much rain and snow does 95445 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Gualala, CA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 84 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95445 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Yellowhound at the center of ZIP 95445: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gualala, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95445 came on Jan 20 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gualala, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95445 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.