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

Planting zone for 95490 — Willits, CA

ZIP code 95490 (Willits, Mendocino County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 95490 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 frostMay 5
First frostOct 9
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Willits, 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 Willits, 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 — 4 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 95490

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 95490 came on Feb 2 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

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 Willits, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95490 is Casabonne — 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 groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Casabonne-Wohly-Pardaloe complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes, low ffd.

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 95490; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Willits, 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 58 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
Precipitation49.2 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″10″January: 9.17 in precipitation 9.2 JanFebruary: 8.63 in precipitation 8.6 FebMarch: 7.07 in precipitation 7.1 MarApril: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 1.78 in precipitation 1.8 MayJune: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 5.77 in precipitation 5.8 NovDecember: 9.84 in precipitation 9.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Willits 1 Ne, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Willits 1 Ne, CA (4 mi away). 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.

954709a
Redwood Valley, CA · 14 mi
954699a
Potter Valley, CA · 16 mi
954379b
Fort Bragg, CA · 18 mi
954189a
Calpella, CA · 19 mi
954279b
Comptche, CA · 20 mi
954179a
Branscomb, CA · 22 mi
954639b
Navarro, CA · 24 mi
954829a
Ukiah, CA · 24 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95490

What planting zone is ZIP code 95490?

ZIP code 95490 (Willits, 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 Willits, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95490 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 Willits, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95490 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95490?

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 95490 get?

About 49.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Willits 1 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Willits, 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 95490 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Casabonne at the center of ZIP 95490: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Willits, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95490 came on Feb 2 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Willits, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95490 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95490 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95490 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.