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

Planting zone for 95549 — Kneeland, CA

ZIP code 95549 (Kneeland, Humboldt County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost November 22.

Where ZIP 95549 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 frostMar 4
First frostNov 22
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 Kneeland, 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 Kneeland, 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 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season264 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 19 and returns around December 8.

From the NOAA station Grizzly Creek Sp, CA — 12 miles away, elevation 413 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 95549

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 27 – Oct 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 8 – Dec 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 4) and first fall frost (Nov 22) 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 95549 came on Jan 19 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

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 Kneeland, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95549 is Scaath — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Scaath-Rockysaddle-Wiregrass complex, 50 to 75 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 95549; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kneeland, CA

Summer high73 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights23nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,908base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation54.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 38 °F 50°38° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 39 °F 52°39° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 41 °F 55°41° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 43 °F 60°43° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 48 °F 65°48° MayJune: average high 69 °F, low 50 °F 69°50° JunJuly: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° JulAugust: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 45 °F 63°45° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 40 °F 54°40° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 38 °F 49°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 8.71 in precipitation 8.7 JanFebruary: 7.23 in precipitation 7.2 FebMarch: 7.46 in precipitation 7.5 MarApril: 5.05 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 1.19 in precipitation 1.2 JunJuly: 0.25 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 1.03 in precipitation 1.0 SepOctober: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 6.98 in precipitation 7.0 NovDecember: 9.61 in precipitation 9.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grizzly Creek Sp, CA (12 mi away); precipitation: Kneeland 3.5 Sse, CA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

955509b
Korbel, CA · 9 mi
955479b
Hydesville, CA · 11 mi
955039b
Eureka, CA · 12 mi
955289b
Carlotta, CA · 12 mi
955249b
Bayside, CA · 13 mi
955409b
Fortuna, CA · 13 mi
955219b
Arcata, CA · 14 mi
955019b
Eureka, CA · 16 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95549

What planting zone is ZIP code 95549?

ZIP code 95549 (Kneeland, 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 Kneeland, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95549 is March 4; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grizzly Creek Sp station.

When is the first frost in Kneeland, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95549 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 264 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95549?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 7 – Jan 21 and set transplants outside around Mar 11 – Mar 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95549 get?

About 54.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kneeland 3.5 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Kneeland, CA?

The average high peaks at 73 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95549 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Scaath at the center of ZIP 95549: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kneeland, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95549 came on Jan 19 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kneeland, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 95549 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).