Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 96009 — Bieber, CA

ZIP code 96009 (Bieber, Lassen County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 96009 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostMay 28

First frostSep 29

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bieber, 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 Bieber, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 10

Growing season125 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Adin Rs, CA — 11 miles away, elevation 4,196 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 96009

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 16 – May 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 28) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 96009 came on Mar 9 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
Mar 9

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 Bieber, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96009 is Bieber family — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; 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: Bieber-Deven-Roval families complex, 1 to 10 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 96009; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bieber, CA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, December

Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,289base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation15 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall45 inper year; 26 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Adin Rs, CA (11 mi away); precipitation: Adin Rs, CA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Fall River Mills, CA · 23 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96009

What planting zone is ZIP code 96009?

ZIP code 96009 (Bieber, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Bieber, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96009 is May 28; after June 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Adin Rs station.

When is the first frost in Bieber, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96009 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 125 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96009?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 2 – Apr 16 and set transplants outside around Jun 4 – Jun 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96009 get?

About 15 inches of precipitation a year and 45 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Adin Rs station).

How hot do summers get in Bieber, CA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96009 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bieber family at the center of ZIP 96009: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bieber, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96009 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bieber, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96009 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96009 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96009 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.