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

Planting zone for 95936 — Downieville, CA

ZIP code 95936 (Downieville, Sierra County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 95936 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 28
First frostOct 25
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Downieville, 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 Downieville, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 9
Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Downieville, CA — 3 miles away, elevation 2,917 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 95936

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 95936 came on Feb 14 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28).

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 Downieville, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95936 is Deadwood — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Deadwood-Rock outcrop-Hurlbut complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes, N Mid Montane.

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 95936; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Downieville, CA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, December
Hot days53days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights112nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,642base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation64.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall26 inper year; 18 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 30 °F 48°30° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 31 °F 52°31° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 36 °F 63°36° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 42 °F 72°42° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 46 °F 81°46° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 51 °F 89°51° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 50 °F 89°50° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 46 °F 83°46° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 39 °F 72°39° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 29 °F 46°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 11.26 in precipitation, 6.4 in snowfall 11.3❄6 JanFebruary: 10.73 in precipitation, 7.9 in snowfall 10.7❄8 FebMarch: 10.00 in precipitation, 4.2 in snowfall 10.0❄4 MarApril: 5.34 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 5.3❄1 AprMay: 3.65 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.6 MayJune: 1.07 in precipitation 1.1 JunJuly: 0.06 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 3.34 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.3 OctNovember: 6.81 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 6.8❄1 NovDecember: 11.81 in precipitation, 5.1 in snowfall 11.8❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Downieville, CA (3 mi away); precipitation: Downieville, CA (3 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.

959448b
Goodyears Bar, CA · 5 mi
959108b
Alleghany, CA · 9 mi
961257a
Sierra City, CA · 9 mi
961037a
Blairsden Graeagle, CA · 15 mi
959818a
Strawberry Valley, CA · 15 mi
959868b
Washington, CA · 15 mi
959609a
North San Juan, CA · 16 mi
961067a
Clio, CA · 16 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95936

What planting zone is ZIP code 95936?

ZIP code 95936 (Downieville, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Downieville, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95936 is April 28; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Downieville station.

When is the first frost in Downieville, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95936 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95936?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95936 get?

About 64.9 inches of precipitation a year and 26 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Downieville station).

How hot do summers get in Downieville, CA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 53 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95936 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Deadwood at the center of ZIP 95936: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Downieville, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95936 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Downieville, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95936 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95936 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95936 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.