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

Planting zone for 95959 — Nevada City, CA

ZIP code 95959 (Nevada City, Nevada County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 95959 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 frostMay 4
First frostNov 4
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 Nevada City, 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 Nevada City, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 12
Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Blue Canyon Airport, CA — 10 miles away, elevation 5,276 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 95959

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 95959 came on Jan 28 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

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 Nevada City, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95959 is Deadwood — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Deadwood-Rock outcrop-Hurlbut complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes, N Mid Montane.

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 95959; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nevada City, CA

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, February
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights79nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,671base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 34 °F 47°34° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 33 °F 45°33° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 35 °F 48°35° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 38 °F 52°38° AprMay: average high 61 °F, low 46 °F 61°46° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 54 °F 70°54° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 63 °F 78°63° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 62 °F 77°62° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 57 °F 73°57° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 48 °F 63°48° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 39 °F 51°39° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 34 °F 45°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 8.79 in precipitation 8.8 JanFebruary: 9.37 in precipitation 9.4 FebMarch: 7.74 in precipitation 7.7 MarApril: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 MayJune: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 2.35 in precipitation 2.4 OctNovember: 5.21 in precipitation 5.2 NovDecember: 10.02 in precipitation 10.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Blue Canyon Airport, CA (10 mi away); precipitation: Nevada City 3.4 Nnw, CA (9 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.

959868b
Washington, CA · 6 mi
959108b
Alleghany, CA · 8 mi
959609a
North San Juan, CA · 10 mi
957018b
Alta, CA · 10 mi
957149a
Dutch Flat, CA · 11 mi
959459a
Grass Valley, CA · 12 mi
959448b
Goodyears Bar, CA · 13 mi
957158a
Emigrant Gap, CA · 13 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95959

What planting zone is ZIP code 95959?

ZIP code 95959 (Nevada City, 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 Nevada City, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95959 is May 4; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Blue Canyon Airport station.

When is the first frost in Nevada City, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95959 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95959?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95959 get?

About 51.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nevada City 3.4 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Nevada City, CA?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95959 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Deadwood at the center of ZIP 95959: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Nevada City, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95959 came on Jan 28 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Nevada City, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95959 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.