Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Chico, CA

Chico, CA is in USDA zones 9a to 9b across its 6 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost November 17.

Chico on the zone map

Outlined: its 4 ZIP code areas · 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.

Zones9a–9b20 to 30 °F

ZIP codes6

Last frostMar 4

First frostNov 17

Growing season257 days

9a 3 ZIPs 9b 3 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Chico, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season257 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 5 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Chico Univ Farm, CA, elevation 184 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 Chico

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

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 (Mar 4) 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 95926 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
Jan 30

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 Chico, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95926 is Vina — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.6%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Vina fine sandy loam, sandy substratum, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 17.

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 95926; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chico, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days99days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights40nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,667base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation28.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chico Univ Farm, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Chico 2.9 W, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Chico

California planting zones →

Questions about Chico

What planting zone is Chico, CA?

Chico, CA is in USDA hardiness zones 9a to 9b on the 2023 map (9a: 20 to 25 °F; 9b: 25 to 30 °F).

When is the last frost in Chico, CA?

The median last spring frost is March 4 and the median first fall frost is November 17 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chico Univ Farm station).

When can I plant a garden in Chico, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 21 – Feb 11; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 11, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Chico, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Chico, CA get?

About 28.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).