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

Planting zone for 95633 — Garden Valley, CA

ZIP code 95633 (Garden Valley, El Dorado County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 95633 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 12
First frostNov 21
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 Garden 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 Garden Valley, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around December 8.

From the NOAA station Georgetown Rs, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 3,002 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 95633

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
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 (Apr 12) 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 95633 came on Jan 28 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

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 Garden Valley, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95633 is Mariposa — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Mariposa gravelly silt loam, 3 to 30 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 95633; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Garden Valley, CA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days58days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights49nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,939base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation39.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 36 °F 52°36° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 56 °F 82°56° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 63 °F 91°63° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 63 °F 91°63° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 57 °F 86°57° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 41 °F 59°41° NovDecember: average high 50 °F, low 36 °F 50°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 6.76 in precipitation 6.8 JanFebruary: 7.01 in precipitation 7.0 FebMarch: 5.83 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 MayJune: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.02 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.33 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 1.97 in precipitation 2.0 OctNovember: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 6.70 in precipitation 6.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Georgetown Rs, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Kelsey 1 N, CA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

956139b
Coloma, CA · 5 mi
956359b
Greenwood, CA · 6 mi
956519b
Lotus, CA · 6 mi
956349a
Georgetown, CA · 7 mi
956679b
Placerville, CA · 8 mi
956149b
Cool, CA · 9 mi
957099a
Camino, CA · 10 mi
956199b
Diamond Springs, CA · 12 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95633

What planting zone is ZIP code 95633?

ZIP code 95633 (Garden 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 Garden Valley, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95633 is April 12; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Georgetown Rs station.

When is the first frost in Garden Valley, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95633 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95633?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 15 – Mar 1 and set transplants outside around Apr 19 – May 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95633 get?

About 39.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kelsey 1 N station).

How hot do summers get in Garden Valley, CA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 58 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95633 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mariposa at the center of ZIP 95633: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 95633 came on Jan 28 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Garden Valley, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95633 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.