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

Planting zone for 95456 — Little River, CA

ZIP code 95456 (Little River, Mendocino County) is in USDA zone 10a: the coldest winter night averages 30 to 35 °F. The median last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 95456 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.

Zone10a30 to 35 °F
Coldest night−1.1 to 1.7 °C
Last frostMar 2
First frostDec 1
2012 zone9b

Was 9b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 10a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Little River, 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 Little River, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 9
Growing season272 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 7 and returns around December 21.

From the NOAA station Ft Bragg 5 N, CA — 17 miles away, elevation 125 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 95456

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 2) and first fall frost (Dec 1) 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 95456 came on Jan 29 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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 Little River, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95456 is Ferncreek — sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ferncreek sandy loam, 2 to 9 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 95456; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Little River, CA

Summer high65 °Faverage high, July
Winter low40 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights12nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,186base 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
Precipitation44.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 40 °F 52°40° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 41 °F 54°41° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 41 °F 55°41° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 42 °F 57°42° AprMay: average high 60 °F, low 45 °F 60°45° MayJune: average high 63 °F, low 47 °F 63°47° JunJuly: average high 65 °F, low 49 °F 65°49° JulAugust: average high 65 °F, low 50 °F 65°50° AugSeptember: average high 65 °F, low 49 °F 65°49° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 46 °F 62°46° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 43 °F 56°43° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 40 °F 52°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 8.35 in precipitation 8.3 JanFebruary: 7.03 in precipitation 7.0 FebMarch: 5.82 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 2.21 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 2.48 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 NovDecember: 9.17 in precipitation 9.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ft Bragg 5 N, CA (17 mi away); precipitation: Caspar 1.4 Ese, CA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

9546010a
Mendocino, CA · 3 mi
954109b
Albion, CA · 4 mi
954209b
Caspar, CA · 7 mi
954279b
Comptche, CA · 10 mi
954639b
Navarro, CA · 11 mi
954329b
Elk, CA · 12 mi
954379b
Fort Bragg, CA · 13 mi
954669b
Philo, CA · 19 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95456

What planting zone is ZIP code 95456?

ZIP code 95456 (Little River, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 10a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 30 to 35 °F (−1.1 to 1.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Little River, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95456 is March 2; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Bragg 5 N station.

When is the first frost in Little River, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95456 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 272 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95456?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 5 – Jan 19 and set transplants outside around Mar 9 – Mar 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95456 get?

About 44.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Caspar 1.4 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Little River, CA?

The average high peaks at 65 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95456 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ferncreek at the center of ZIP 95456: sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Little River, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95456 came on Jan 29 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Little River, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95456 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95456 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95456 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 10a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.