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

Planting zone for 95623 — El Dorado, CA

ZIP code 95623 (El Dorado, El Dorado County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 95623 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 31
First frostNov 21
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 El Dorado, 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 El Dorado, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season237 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 15 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Placerville, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 1,850 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 95623

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 21) 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 95623 came on Jan 28 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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 El Dorado, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95623 is Auburn — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Auburn very rocky silt 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 95623; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in El Dorado, CA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights30nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,181base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation34.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 55 °F 86°55° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 61 °F 94°61° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 59 °F 93°59° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 56 °F 88°56° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.95 in precipitation 6.0 JanFebruary: 6.07 in precipitation 6.1 FebMarch: 5.68 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 AprMay: 1.82 in precipitation 1.8 MayJune: 0.33 in precipitation 0.3 JunJuly: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 1.60 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 6.37 in precipitation 6.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Placerville, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Placerville 3.7 Sw, 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.

956199b
Diamond Springs, CA · 4 mi
956829b
Shingle Springs, CA · 7 mi
956679b
Placerville, CA · 8 mi
956759a
River Pines, CA · 8 mi
956569a
Mount Aukum, CA · 8 mi
956729b
Rescue, CA · 10 mi
956699b
Plymouth, CA · 10 mi
957099a
Camino, CA · 12 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95623

What planting zone is ZIP code 95623?

ZIP code 95623 (El Dorado, 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 El Dorado, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95623 is March 31; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Placerville station.

When is the first frost in El Dorado, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95623 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95623?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95623 get?

About 34.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Placerville 3.7 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in El Dorado, CA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95623 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Auburn at the center of ZIP 95623: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in El Dorado, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95623 came on Jan 28 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in El Dorado, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95623 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95623 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95623 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.