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

Planting zone for 95956 — Meadow Valley, CA

ZIP code 95956 (Meadow Valley, Plumas County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 95956 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 frostMay 22
First frostSep 25
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Meadow Valley, 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 Meadow Valley, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 4
Growing season122 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Quincy, CA — 10 miles away, elevation 3,419 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 95956

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Sep 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 95956 came on Mar 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

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 Meadow Valley, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95956 is Skalan family — extremely gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely gravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Skalan-Deadwood-Kistirn families complex, 50 to 70 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 95956; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Meadow Valley, CA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days56days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,100base 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)
Precipitation41.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall28 inper year; 7 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 26 °F 50°26° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 29 °F 56°29° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 32 °F 62°32° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 39 °F 71°39° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 43 °F 80°43° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 48 °F 89°48° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 45 °F 88°45° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 40 °F 82°40° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 33 °F 69°33° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 28 °F 52°28° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.65 in precipitation, 5.8 in snowfall 7.7❄6 JanFebruary: 7.59 in precipitation, 7.6 in snowfall 7.6❄8 FebMarch: 6.66 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 6.7❄5 MarApril: 3.14 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.1❄2 AprMay: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 MayJune: 0.71 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 1.94 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.9 OctNovember: 4.06 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 4.1❄2 NovDecember: 7.32 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 7.3❄6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Quincy, CA (10 mi away); precipitation: Quincy, CA (10 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.

959848a
Twain, CA · 7 mi
959157b
Belden, CA · 10 mi
959717b
Quincy, CA · 11 mi
959808b
Storrie, CA · 11 mi
959347b
Crescent Mills, CA · 16 mi
959818a
Strawberry Valley, CA · 16 mi
959409b
Feather Falls, CA · 20 mi
959237b
Canyon Dam, CA · 21 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95956

What planting zone is ZIP code 95956?

ZIP code 95956 (Meadow Valley, 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 Meadow Valley, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95956 is May 22; after June 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Quincy station.

When is the first frost in Meadow Valley, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95956 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 122 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95956?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95956 get?

About 41.7 inches of precipitation a year and 28 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Quincy station).

How hot do summers get in Meadow Valley, CA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 56 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95956 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Skalan family at the center of ZIP 95956: extremely gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Meadow Valley, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95956 came on Mar 16 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Meadow Valley, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 95956 is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 95956 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95956 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.