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

Planting zone for 95644 — Kit Carson, CA

ZIP code 95644 (Kit Carson, Amador County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 95644 is

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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 26
First frostNov 2
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — 2 zones colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Kit Carson, 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 Kit Carson, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Pacific House, CA — 22 miles away, elevation 3,452 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 95644

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24
BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 95644 came on Mar 10 — 45 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

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 Kit Carson, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95644 is Cryumbrepts — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cryumbrepts association, 5 to 50 prcent 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 95644; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kit Carson, CA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights222nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,093base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation42.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 18 °F 43°18° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 19 °F 43°19° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 24 °F 48°24° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 28 °F 53°28° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 33 °F 62°33° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 38 °F 72°38° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 43 °F 80°43° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 41 °F 80°41° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 35 °F 73°35° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 29 °F 62°29° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 23 °F 51°23° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 18 °F 43°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 6.96 in precipitation 7.0 JanFebruary: 7.16 in precipitation 7.2 FebMarch: 6.61 in precipitation 6.6 MarApril: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 MayJune: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 6.79 in precipitation 6.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: South Lake Tahoe Airport, CA (17 mi away); precipitation: Carson Pass, CA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

956466b
Kirkwood, CA · 6 mi
961557a
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 7 mi
957217a
Echo Lake, CA · 10 mi
957357a
Twin Bridges, CA · 12 mi
961206b
Markleeville, CA · 14 mi
961506b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 14 mi
957207b
Kyburz, CA · 14 mi
956669a
Pioneer, CA · 15 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95644

What planting zone is ZIP code 95644?

ZIP code 95644 (Kit Carson, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Kit Carson, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95644 is April 26; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pacific House station.

When is the first frost in Kit Carson, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95644 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95644?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95644 get?

About 42.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carson Pass station).

How hot do summers get in Kit Carson, CA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95644 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cryumbrepts at the center of ZIP 95644: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kit Carson, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95644 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 45 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kit Carson, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95644 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95644 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95644 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.