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

Planting zone for 95988 — Willows, CA

ZIP code 95988 (Willows, Glenn County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 21 and the first fall frost December 6.

Where ZIP 95988 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F
Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C
Last frostFeb 21
First frostDec 6
2012 zone9b

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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Willows, 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 Willows, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 16
Growing season289 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 5 and returns around December 18.

From the NOAA station Willows 6 W, CA — 2 miles away, elevation 233 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 95988

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 13 – Dec 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 13 – Dec 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 21) and first fall frost (Dec 6) 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 95988 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

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 Willows, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95988 is Hillgate — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.47%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Hillgate loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 17.

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 95988; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Willows, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low39 °Faverage low, December
Hot days98days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights23nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,247base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation21.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 42 °F 63°42° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 44 °F 68°44° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 47 °F 75°47° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 60 °F 90°60° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 63 °F 95°63° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 61 °F 94°61° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 58 °F 91°58° SepOctober: average high 82 °F, low 53 °F 82°53° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 JanFebruary: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 FebMarch: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 MarApril: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 AprMay: 1.20 in precipitation 1.2 MayJune: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.03 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.07 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.22 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 1.08 in precipitation 1.1 OctNovember: 2.35 in precipitation 2.4 NovDecember: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Willows 6 W, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Willows 6 W, CA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

959139b
Artois, CA · 10 mi
959709b
Princeton, CA · 14 mi
959439b
Glenn, CA · 15 mi
959559b
Maxwell, CA · 15 mi
959639b
Orland, CA · 17 mi
959799a
Stonyford, CA · 17 mi
959399a
Elk Creek, CA · 18 mi
959519b
Hamilton City, CA · 22 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 95988

What planting zone is ZIP code 95988?

ZIP code 95988 (Willows, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Willows, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95988 is February 21; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Willows 6 W station.

When is the first frost in Willows, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95988 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 289 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95988?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 27 – Jan 10 and set transplants outside around Feb 28 – Mar 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95988 get?

About 21.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Willows 6 W station).

How hot do summers get in Willows, CA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 98 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95988 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hillgate at the center of ZIP 95988: loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Willows, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95988 came on Jan 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Willows, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95988 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.