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

Planting zone for 95469 — Potter Valley, CA

ZIP code 95469 (Potter Valley, Mendocino County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 95469 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 frostApr 8
First frostNov 6
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 Potter Valley, 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 Potter Valley, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 20
Growing season211 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Potter Valley Powerhouse, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 1,017 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 95469

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 95469 came on Jan 31 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

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 Potter Valley, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95469 is Sanhedrin — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sanhedrin-Kekawaka-Speaker 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 95469; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Potter Valley, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,836base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 39 °F 66°39° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 41 °F 71°41° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 45 °F 79°45° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 50 °F 87°50° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 54 °F 95°54° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 53 °F 94°53° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 49 °F 90°49° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 43 °F 79°43° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 8.21 in precipitation 8.2 JanFebruary: 7.72 in precipitation 7.7 FebMarch: 6.28 in precipitation 6.3 MarApril: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 1.86 in precipitation 1.9 MayJune: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 1.86 in precipitation 1.9 OctNovember: 5.04 in precipitation 5.0 NovDecember: 9.77 in precipitation 9.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Potter Valley Powerhouse, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Potter Valley Powerhouse, CA (4 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.

954709a
Redwood Valley, CA · 11 mi
954938b
Witter Springs, CA · 13 mi
954189a
Calpella, CA · 14 mi
954859a
Upper Lake, CA · 15 mi
954909a
Willits, CA · 16 mi
954819a
Talmage, CA · 19 mi
954829a
Ukiah, CA · 21 mi
954648b
Nice, CA · 22 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95469

What planting zone is ZIP code 95469?

ZIP code 95469 (Potter Valley, 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 Potter Valley, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95469 is April 8; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Potter Valley Powerhouse station.

When is the first frost in Potter Valley, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95469 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 211 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95469?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95469 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Potter Valley Powerhouse station).

How hot do summers get in Potter Valley, CA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 82 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95469 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sanhedrin at the center of ZIP 95469: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Potter Valley, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95469 came on Jan 31 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Potter Valley, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95469 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.