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

Planting zone for 95684 — Somerset, CA

ZIP code 95684 (Somerset, El Dorado County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 95684 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 26
First frostNov 2
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 Somerset, 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 Somerset, 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 — 13 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 95684

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 95684 came on Jan 28 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

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 Somerset, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95684 is Cohasset — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Cohasset sandy loam, 9 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 95684; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Somerset, CA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low31 °Faverage low, February
Hot days58days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights97nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,775base 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
Precipitation42.7 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 44 °F, low 32 °F 44°32° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 31 °F 50°31° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 36 °F 63°36° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 42 °F 72°42° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 47 °F 82°47° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 53 °F 90°53° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 53 °F 89°53° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 49 °F 83°49° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 35 °F 51°35° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 31 °F 43°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.66 in precipitation 7.7 JanFebruary: 7.32 in precipitation 7.3 FebMarch: 7.26 in precipitation 7.3 MarApril: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 2.56 in precipitation 2.6 MayJune: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 JunJuly: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.05 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 2.11 in precipitation 2.1 OctNovember: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 7.13 in precipitation 7.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pacific House, CA (13 mi away); precipitation: Volcano 3.2 N, CA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

956368b
Grizzly Flats, CA · 3 mi
956899a
Volcano, CA · 9 mi
956669a
Pioneer, CA · 9 mi
952559a
West Point, CA · 10 mi
956299a
Fiddletown, CA · 11 mi
956569a
Mount Aukum, CA · 12 mi
952578b
Wilseyville, CA · 13 mi
956759a
River Pines, CA · 13 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95684

What planting zone is ZIP code 95684?

ZIP code 95684 (Somerset, 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 Somerset, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95684 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 Somerset, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95684 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95684?

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 95684 get?

About 42.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Volcano 3.2 N station).

How hot do summers get in Somerset, CA?

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

What kind of soil does 95684 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cohasset at the center of ZIP 95684: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Somerset, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95684 came on Jan 28 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Somerset, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95684 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.