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

Planting zone for 95941 — Forbestown, CA

ZIP code 95941 (Forbestown, Butte County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 95941 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 30
2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Forbestown, 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 Forbestown, 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 frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Strawberry Valley, CA — 9 miles away, elevation 3,809 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 95941

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 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 95941 came on Jan 22 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

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 Forbestown, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95941 is Surnuf — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Surnuf gravelly loam, 8 to 15 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 95941; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Forbestown, CA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights104nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,464base 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
Precipitation57.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 51 °F, low 30 °F 51°30° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 30 °F 51°30° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 53 °F 85°53° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 51 °F 85°51° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 48 °F 80°48° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 41 °F 70°41° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° NovDecember: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 10.41 in precipitation 10.4 JanFebruary: 9.98 in precipitation 10.0 FebMarch: 9.12 in precipitation 9.1 MarApril: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 AprMay: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 MayJune: 0.78 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.40 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 6.33 in precipitation 6.3 NovDecember: 10.89 in precipitation 10.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Strawberry Valley, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Challenge-Brownsville 1.3 Wsw, CA (4 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.

959259a
Challenge, CA · 5 mi
959199a
Brownsville, CA · 6 mi
959309a
Clipper Mills, CA · 6 mi
959409b
Feather Falls, CA · 7 mi
959729b
Rackerby, CA · 7 mi
959669b
Oroville, CA · 8 mi
959149b
Bangor, CA · 9 mi
959359a
Dobbins, CA · 10 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95941

What planting zone is ZIP code 95941?

ZIP code 95941 (Forbestown, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Forbestown, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95941 is May 4; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Strawberry Valley station.

When is the first frost in Forbestown, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95941 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95941?

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 95941 get?

About 57.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Challenge-Brownsville 1.3 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Forbestown, CA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95941 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Surnuf at the center of ZIP 95941: loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Forbestown, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95941 came on Jan 22 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Forbestown, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95941 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95941 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95941 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.