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

Planting zone for 95703 — Applegate, CA

ZIP code 95703 (Applegate, Placer County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 24.

Where ZIP 95703 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 3
First frostNov 24
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 Applegate, 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 Applegate, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 2
Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 21 and returns around December 13.

From the NOAA station Colfax, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 2,379 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 95703

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 29 – Oct 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 10 – Dec 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 24) 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 95703 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 Applegate, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95703 is Mariposa — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly 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 classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mariposa-Josephine complex, 5 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 95703; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Applegate, CA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, December
Hot days66days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights37nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,102base 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
Precipitation45.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 40 °F 60°40° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 56 °F 83°56° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 63 °F 92°63° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 61 °F 91°61° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 57 °F 86°57° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 36 °F 54°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.63 in precipitation 7.6 JanFebruary: 7.46 in precipitation 7.5 FebMarch: 6.43 in precipitation 6.4 MarApril: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 MayJune: 0.77 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.09 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.40 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 2.27 in precipitation 2.3 OctNovember: 5.57 in precipitation 5.6 NovDecember: 8.83 in precipitation 8.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Colfax, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Applegate 0.5 Se, CA (within 1 mile). 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.

957229a
Meadow Vista, CA · 3 mi
957369a
Weimar, CA · 4 mi
956029b
Auburn, CA · 6 mi
956359b
Greenwood, CA · 7 mi
957139a
Colfax, CA · 7 mi
956149b
Cool, CA · 7 mi
956039b
Auburn, CA · 8 mi
957129a
Chicago Park, CA · 11 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95703

What planting zone is ZIP code 95703?

ZIP code 95703 (Applegate, 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 Applegate, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95703 is April 3; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colfax station.

When is the first frost in Applegate, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95703 is November 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95703?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95703 get?

About 45.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Applegate 0.5 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Applegate, CA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 66 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95703 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mariposa at the center of ZIP 95703: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Applegate, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95703 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 Applegate, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95703 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.