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

Planting zone for 95715 — Emigrant Gap, CA

ZIP code 95715 (Emigrant Gap, Placer County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 95715 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMay 22
First frostOct 16
2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Emigrant Gap, 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 Emigrant Gap, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Lake Spaulding, CA — 3 miles away, elevation 5,158 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 95715

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 95715 came on Feb 6 — 38 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 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 Emigrant Gap, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95715 is Putt — very cobbly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Putt-Rock outcrop, granitic-Zeibright complex, 2 to 30 percent s lopes.

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 95715; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Emigrant Gap, CA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights170nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,737base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation62.4 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 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 26 °F 46°26° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 27 °F 51°27° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 30 °F 56°30° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 37 °F 64°37° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 43 °F 75°43° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 48 °F 82°48° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 47 °F 82°47° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 44 °F 76°44° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 37 °F 65°37° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 30 °F 51°30° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 10.55 in precipitation 10.6 JanFebruary: 10.06 in precipitation 10.1 FebMarch: 8.95 in precipitation 8.9 MarApril: 5.11 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 1.14 in precipitation 1.1 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 SepOctober: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 7.20 in precipitation 7.2 NovDecember: 10.90 in precipitation 10.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lake Spaulding, CA (3 mi away); precipitation: Blue Canyon Airport, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

957018b
Alta, CA · 7 mi
959868b
Washington, CA · 9 mi
957149a
Dutch Flat, CA · 12 mi
957287a
Soda Springs, CA · 13 mi
959599a
Nevada City, CA · 13 mi
957179a
Gold Run, CA · 14 mi
959108b
Alleghany, CA · 16 mi
956319a
Foresthill, CA · 16 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95715

What planting zone is ZIP code 95715?

ZIP code 95715 (Emigrant Gap, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Emigrant Gap, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95715 is May 22; after June 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Spaulding station.

When is the first frost in Emigrant Gap, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95715 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95715?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95715 get?

About 62.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Blue Canyon Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Emigrant Gap, CA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95715 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Putt at the center of ZIP 95715: very cobbly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Emigrant Gap, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95715 came on Feb 6 in 2026, 38 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Emigrant Gap, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95715 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.