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

Planting zone for 96008 — Bella Vista, CA

ZIP code 96008 (Bella Vista, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 8 and the first fall frost December 28.

Where ZIP 96008 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 8
First frostDec 28
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 Bella Vista, 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 Bella Vista, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 28median — 10% chance by Dec 1
Growing season322 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 18 and returns around January 4.

From the NOAA station Shasta Dam, CA — 16 miles away, elevation 1,076 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 96008

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 14 – Dec 28
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Nov 2 – Nov 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 14 – Jan 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 8) and first fall frost (Dec 28) 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 96008 came on Jan 20 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

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 Bella Vista, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96008 is Diamond Springs — very stony sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Diamond Springs very stony sandy loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes, eroded.

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 96008; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bella Vista, CA

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July
Winter low41 °Faverage low, January
Hot days90days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,342base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation48.8 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 55 °F, low 41 °F 55°41° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 42 °F 59°42° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 44 °F 63°44° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 63 °F 88°63° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 69 °F 97°69° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 68 °F 96°68° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 63 °F 90°63° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 46 °F 62°46° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 41 °F 54°41° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 9.06 in precipitation 9.1 JanFebruary: 7.34 in precipitation 7.3 FebMarch: 6.96 in precipitation 7.0 MarApril: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 2.20 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 1.22 in precipitation 1.2 JunJuly: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 2.24 in precipitation 2.2 OctNovember: 5.83 in precipitation 5.8 NovDecember: 9.17 in precipitation 9.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shasta Dam, CA (16 mi away); precipitation: Redding 7.9 Nne, CA (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960709a
Obrien, CA · 5 mi
960699a
Oak Run, CA · 6 mi
960739a
Palo Cedro, CA · 10 mi
960499b
Redding, CA · 11 mi
960629a
Millville, CA · 12 mi
960039b
Redding, CA · 12 mi
960799b
Shasta Lake, CA · 12 mi
960849a
Round Mountain, CA · 14 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96008

What planting zone is ZIP code 96008?

ZIP code 96008 (Bella Vista, 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 Bella Vista, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96008 is February 8; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shasta Dam station.

When is the first frost in Bella Vista, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96008 is December 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 322 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96008?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 14 – Dec 28 and set transplants outside around Feb 15 – Mar 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96008 get?

About 48.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redding 7.9 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Bella Vista, CA?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in July, with about 90 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96008 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Diamond Springs at the center of ZIP 96008: very stony sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bella Vista, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96008 came on Jan 20 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bella Vista, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96008 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).