Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 95923 — Canyon Dam, CA

ZIP code 95923 (Canyon Dam, 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 95923 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 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Canyon Dam, 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 Canyon Dam, 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 — 2 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 95923

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 95923 came on Mar 12 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

average
Mar 292026
Mar 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 Canyon Dam, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95923 is Penstock — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter55%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Penstock-Hangtown-Smokey complex, 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 95923; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Canyon Dam, 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 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 18 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation37.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall109 inper year; 88 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Canyon Dam, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Canyon Dam, CA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Crescent Mills, CA · 15 mi

959477b

Greenville, CA · 16 mi

961377a

Westwood, CA · 20 mi

959568a

Meadow Valley, CA · 21 mi

959808b

Storrie, CA · 21 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95923

What planting zone is ZIP code 95923?

ZIP code 95923 (Canyon Dam, 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 Canyon Dam, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95923 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 Canyon Dam, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95923 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95923?

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 95923 get?

About 37.1 inches of precipitation a year and 109 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Canyon Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Canyon Dam, 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 95923 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Penstock at the center of ZIP 95923: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Canyon Dam, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95923 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Canyon Dam, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 95923 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).