Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 96001 — Redding, CA

ZIP code 96001 (Redding, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost December 13.

Where ZIP 96001 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 13

First frostDec 13

2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Redding, 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 Redding, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostFebruary 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 20

Growing season304 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 3 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Whiskeytown Rsvr, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 1,296 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 96001

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 18 – Nov 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 29 – Jan 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 13) and first fall frost (Dec 13) 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 96001 came on Jan 23 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
Jan 23

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 Redding, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96001 is Goulding — very stony loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Goulding very stony loam, 10 to 30 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 96001; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Redding, CA

Summer high99 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days98days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights20nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,188base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation41.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Whiskeytown Rsvr, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Redding 2.8 Nw, CA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960959b

Whiskeytown, CA · 7 mi

Shasta Lake, CA · 8 mi

Shasta Lake, CA · 10 mi

960079a

Anderson, CA · 11 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Redding → · California planting zones →

Questions about 96001

What planting zone is ZIP code 96001?

ZIP code 96001 (Redding, 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 Redding, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96001 is February 13; after March 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whiskeytown Rsvr station.

When is the first frost in Redding, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96001 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 304 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96001?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 19 – Jan 2 and set transplants outside around Feb 20 – Mar 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96001 get?

About 41.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redding 2.8 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Redding, CA?

The average high peaks at 99 °F in July, with about 98 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96001 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Goulding at the center of ZIP 96001: very stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Redding, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96001 came on Jan 23 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Redding, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96001 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96001 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96001 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.