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

Planting zone for 95701 — Alta, CA

ZIP code 95701 (Alta, Placer County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 95701 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 frostMay 4
First frostNov 4
2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Alta, 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 Alta, 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 — 4 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 95701

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 95701 came on Feb 3 — 10 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 Alta, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95701 is McCarthy — cobbly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: McCarthy cobbly sandy loam, 30 to 50 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 95701; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alta, 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 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
Precipitation62.4 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: 10.55 in precipitation 10.6 JanFebruary: 10.06 in precipitation 10.1 FebMarch: 8.95 in precipitation 8.9 MarApril: 5.11 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 1.14 in precipitation 1.1 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 SepOctober: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 7.20 in precipitation 7.2 NovDecember: 10.90 in precipitation 10.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Blue Canyon Airport, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Blue Canyon Airport, CA (4 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.

957149a
Dutch Flat, CA · 4 mi
957179a
Gold Run, CA · 7 mi
957158a
Emigrant Gap, CA · 7 mi
959868b
Washington, CA · 9 mi
959599a
Nevada City, CA · 10 mi
959459a
Grass Valley, CA · 12 mi
956319a
Foresthill, CA · 12 mi
957129a
Chicago Park, CA · 12 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95701

What planting zone is ZIP code 95701?

ZIP code 95701 (Alta, 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 Alta, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95701 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 Alta, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95701 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95701?

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 95701 get?

About 62.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Blue Canyon Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Alta, 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 95701 have?

The USDA soil survey maps McCarthy at the center of ZIP 95701: cobbly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Alta, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95701 came on Feb 3 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alta, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95701 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.