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

Planting zone for 95915 — Belden, CA

ZIP code 95915 (Belden, Plumas County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 95915 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostMay 18
First frostOct 8
2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Belden, 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 Belden, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Canyon Dam, CA — 14 miles away, elevation 4,561 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 95915

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
TomatoesTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15
BeansSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 95915 came on Feb 5 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22).

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 Belden, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95915 is Deadwood family — very gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Deadwood-Clallam families-Rock outcrop complex, 70 to 100 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 95915; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Belden, CA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights159nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,062base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 01 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation65.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 32 °F 58°32° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 39 °F 68°39° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 45 °F 78°45° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 50 °F 86°50° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 49 °F 85°49° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 44 °F 79°44° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 36 °F 66°36° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 11.46 in precipitation 11.5 JanFebruary: 10.82 in precipitation 10.8 FebMarch: 10.30 in precipitation 10.3 MarApril: 5.68 in precipitation 5.7 AprMay: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 1.19 in precipitation 1.2 JunJuly: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 6.31 in precipitation 6.3 NovDecember: 12.74 in precipitation 12.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Canyon Dam, CA (14 mi away); precipitation: Bucks Creek, CA (6 mi away). 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.

959848a
Twain, CA · 5 mi
959808b
Storrie, CA · 7 mi
959568a
Meadow Valley, CA · 10 mi
959237b
Canyon Dam, CA · 14 mi
959717b
Quincy, CA · 17 mi
959347b
Crescent Mills, CA · 18 mi
959477b
Greenville, CA · 24 mi
959169b
Berry Creek, CA · 25 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95915

What planting zone is ZIP code 95915?

ZIP code 95915 (Belden, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Belden, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95915 is May 18; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Canyon Dam station.

When is the first frost in Belden, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95915 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95915?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 23 – Apr 6 and set transplants outside around May 25 – Jun 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95915 get?

About 65.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bucks Creek station).

How hot do summers get in Belden, CA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95915 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Deadwood family at the center of ZIP 95915: very gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Belden, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95915 came on Feb 5 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Belden, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 95915 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 95915 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95915 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.