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

Planting zone for 95542 — Garberville, CA

ZIP code 95542 (Garberville, Humboldt County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 95542 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 frostMar 10
First frostDec 1
2012 zone9b

Was 9b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder 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 Garberville, 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 Garberville, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 7
Growing season271 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 15 and returns around December 26.

From the NOAA station Richardson Gr Sp, CA — 5 miles away, elevation 502 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 95542

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Dec 1) 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 95542 came on Jan 30 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

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 Garberville, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95542 is Tannin — 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: Tannin-Wohly-Rockyglen 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 95542; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Garberville, CA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, August
Winter low38 °Faverage low, December
Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights22nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,942base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 02 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 19 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation56 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 39 °F 50°39° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 40 °F 53°40° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 41 °F 59°41° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 54 °F 86°54° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 54 °F 87°54° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 50 °F 83°50° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 41 °F 55°41° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 38 °F 49°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 11.30 in precipitation 11.3 JanFebruary: 7.77 in precipitation 7.8 FebMarch: 8.23 in precipitation 8.2 MarApril: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 2.19 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 0.81 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.17 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.17 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.61 in precipitation 0.6 SepOctober: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 6.75 in precipitation 6.8 NovDecember: 10.55 in precipitation 10.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Richardson Gr Sp, CA (5 mi away); precipitation: Garberville 2.2 Sw, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

955609b
Redway, CA · 5 mi
955599a
Phillipsville, CA · 7 mi
955879a
Piercy, CA · 9 mi
955119a
Alderpoint, CA · 11 mi
955539b
Miranda, CA · 11 mi
955899b
Whitethorn, CA · 12 mi
955549b
Myers Flat, CA · 14 mi
955149a
Blocksburg, CA · 14 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95542

What planting zone is ZIP code 95542?

ZIP code 95542 (Garberville, 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 Garberville, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95542 is March 10; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richardson Gr Sp station.

When is the first frost in Garberville, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95542 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 271 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95542?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 13 – Jan 27 and set transplants outside around Mar 17 – Mar 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95542 get?

About 56 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Garberville 2.2 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Garberville, CA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in August, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95542 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tannin at the center of ZIP 95542: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Garberville, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95542 came on Jan 30 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Garberville, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 95542 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 95542 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95542 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.