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

Planting zone for 95568 — Somes Bar, CA

ZIP code 95568 (Somes Bar, Siskiyou County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 26.

Where ZIP 95568 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 12
First frostNov 26
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Somes Bar, 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 Somes Bar, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 26median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season262 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 28 and returns around December 17.

From the NOAA station Orleans, CA — 12 miles away, elevation 404 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 95568

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 1 – Oct 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 12 – Dec 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 26) 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 95568 came on Feb 3 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

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 Somes Bar, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95568 is Clallam family — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clallam family, very deep, 9 to 70 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 95568; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Somes Bar, CA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,580base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 11 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 10 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation51.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall3 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 37 °F 50°37° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 39 °F 55°39° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 52 °F 83°52° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 57 °F 92°57° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 56 °F 91°56° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 52 °F 86°52° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 42 °F 56°42° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 37 °F 48°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 9.39 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 9.4 JanFebruary: 6.93 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 6.9❄2 FebMarch: 6.38 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 6.4 MarApril: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 MayJune: 0.89 in precipitation 0.9 JunJuly: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.76 in precipitation 0.8 SepOctober: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 6.81 in precipitation 6.8 NovDecember: 10.49 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 10.5❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Orleans, CA (12 mi away); precipitation: Orleans, CA (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

955569a
Orleans, CA · 13 mi
960398b
Happy Camp, CA · 14 mi
960278a
Etna, CA · 15 mi
955469a
Hoopa, CA · 24 mi
960318b
Forks Of Salmon, CA · 26 mi
960328a
Fort Jones, CA · 27 mi
960858a
Scott Bar, CA · 28 mi
955559b
Orick, CA · 28 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95568

What planting zone is ZIP code 95568?

ZIP code 95568 (Somes Bar, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Somes Bar, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95568 is March 12; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orleans station.

When is the first frost in Somes Bar, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95568 is November 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 262 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95568?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95568 get?

About 51.7 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orleans station).

How hot do summers get in Somes Bar, CA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95568 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clallam family at the center of ZIP 95568: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Somes Bar, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95568 came on Feb 3 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Somes Bar, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 95568 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 95568 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95568 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.