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

Planting zone for 95942 — Forest Ranch, CA

ZIP code 95942 (Forest Ranch, Butte County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 95942 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 frostApr 17
First frostNov 11
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 Forest Ranch, 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 Forest Ranch, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 21
Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station De Sabla, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 2,710 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 95942

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 95942 came on Jan 19 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

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 Forest Ranch, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95942 is Schott — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Schott-Rock outcrop , 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 95942; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Forest Ranch, CA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, December
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights63nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,588base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 00 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)
Precipitation66 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 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 53 °F 84°53° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 58 °F 91°58° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 57 °F 91°57° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 53 °F 86°53° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 46 °F 74°46° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 34 °F 51°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 11.88 in precipitation 11.9 JanFebruary: 11.75 in precipitation 11.8 FebMarch: 9.62 in precipitation 9.6 MarApril: 5.22 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.2 AprMay: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 1.01 in precipitation 1.0 JunJuly: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 6.41 in precipitation 6.4 NovDecember: 12.97 in precipitation 13.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: De Sabla, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: De Sabla, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

959548b
Magalia, CA · 6 mi
959788b
Stirling City, CA · 7 mi
959739b
Chico, CA · 11 mi
959699b
Paradise, CA · 14 mi
959679b
Paradise, CA · 14 mi
959269b
Chico, CA · 15 mi
959769a
Chico, CA · 15 mi
959279a
Chico, CA · 16 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95942

What planting zone is ZIP code 95942?

ZIP code 95942 (Forest Ranch, 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 Forest Ranch, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95942 is April 17; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, De Sabla station.

When is the first frost in Forest Ranch, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95942 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95942?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95942 get?

About 66 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, De Sabla station).

How hot do summers get in Forest Ranch, CA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95942 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Schott at the center of ZIP 95942: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Forest Ranch, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95942 came on Jan 19 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Forest Ranch, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 95942 is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 95942 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95942 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.