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

Planting zone for 95728 — Soda Springs, CA

ZIP code 95728 (Soda Springs, Nevada County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 95728 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostMay 22
First frostOct 16
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Soda Springs, 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 Soda Springs, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Lake Spaulding, CA — 13 miles away, elevation 5,158 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 95728

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 95728 came on Mar 16 — 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 Soda Springs, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95728 is Meiss — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Meiss-Gullied land-Rock outcrop complex, 30 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 95728; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Soda Springs, CA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights227nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,222base 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
Precipitation78.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall445 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 17 °F 41°17° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 18 °F 43°18° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 22 °F 48°22° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 26 °F 54°26° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 33 °F 63°33° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 38 °F 73°38° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 44 °F 82°44° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 42 °F 81°42° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 36 °F 75°36° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 29 °F 63°29° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 23 °F 49°23° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 17 °F 39°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″14″January: 13.16 in precipitation, 73 in snowfall 13.2❄73 JanFebruary: 12.26 in precipitation, 84.2 in snowfall 12.3❄84 FebMarch: 12.15 in precipitation, 105.7 in snowfall 12.2❄106 MarApril: 6.99 in precipitation, 41.2 in snowfall 7.0❄41 AprMay: 4.74 in precipitation, 15.6 in snowfall 4.7❄16 MayJune: 1.57 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 1.6❄2 JunJuly: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.45 in precipitation 0.5 AugSeptember: 0.99 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 1.0❄2 SepOctober: 3.89 in precipitation, 9.9 in snowfall 3.9❄10 OctNovember: 7.57 in precipitation, 42.8 in snowfall 7.6❄43 NovDecember: 14.35 in precipitation, 69.3 in snowfall 14.3❄69 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Donner Mem Sp, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Soda Springs 1.5 Ssw, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

961467a
Olympic Valley, CA · 10 mi
961616b
Truckee, CA · 10 mi
961606a
Truckee, CA · 12 mi
957158a
Emigrant Gap, CA · 13 mi
961457a
Tahoe City, CA · 16 mi
961407a
Carnelian Bay, CA · 17 mi
961417a
Homewood, CA · 17 mi
961266b
Sierraville, CA · 18 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95728

What planting zone is ZIP code 95728?

ZIP code 95728 (Soda Springs, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Soda Springs, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95728 is May 22; after June 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Spaulding station.

When is the first frost in Soda Springs, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95728 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95728?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95728 get?

About 78.5 inches of precipitation a year and 445 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Soda Springs 1.5 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Soda Springs, CA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95728 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Meiss at the center of ZIP 95728: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Soda Springs, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95728 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Soda Springs, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95728 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.