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

Planting zone for 95918 — Browns Valley, CA

ZIP code 95918 (Browns Valley, Yuba County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 95918 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F
Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C
Last frostApr 1
First frostNov 17
2012 zone9b

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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Browns 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 Browns Valley, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season229 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 27 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Dobbins 1 S, CA — 8 miles away, elevation 1,641 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 95918

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 95918 came on Jan 28 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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 Browns Valley, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95918 is Sobrante — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly 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: Sobrante-Auburn complex, gravelly, 8 to 15 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 95918; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Browns Valley, CA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days79days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,806base 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
Precipitation34.8 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 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 47 °F 76°47° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 52 °F 86°52° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 57 °F 94°57° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 55 °F 94°55° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 51 °F 89°51° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 45 °F 78°45° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.95 in precipitation 6.0 JanFebruary: 6.10 in precipitation 6.1 FebMarch: 5.46 in precipitation 5.5 MarApril: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 AprMay: 1.50 in precipitation 1.5 MayJune: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.00 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 1.78 in precipitation 1.8 OctNovember: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 6.78 in precipitation 6.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dobbins 1 S, CA (8 mi away); precipitation: Harry L Englebright Dam, CA (6 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.

959629b
Oregon House, CA · 4 mi
959149b
Bangor, CA · 8 mi
959729b
Rackerby, CA · 8 mi
959779b
Smartsville, CA · 9 mi
959469b
Penn Valley, CA · 9 mi
959359a
Dobbins, CA · 9 mi
959019b
Marysville, CA · 10 mi
959199a
Brownsville, CA · 10 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95918

What planting zone is ZIP code 95918?

ZIP code 95918 (Browns Valley, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Browns Valley, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95918 is April 1; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dobbins 1 S station.

When is the first frost in Browns Valley, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95918 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 229 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95918?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95918 get?

About 34.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Harry L Englebright Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Browns Valley, CA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 79 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95918 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sobrante at the center of ZIP 95918: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 95918 came on Jan 28 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Browns Valley, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95918 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.