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

Planting zone for 96011 — Big Bend, CA

ZIP code 96011 (Big Bend, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost September 14.

Where ZIP 96011 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostJun 3
First frostSep 14
2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Big Bend, 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 Big Bend, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 14median — 10% chance by Sep 1
Growing season102 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Burney, CA — 17 miles away, elevation 3,199 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 96011

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 13 – May 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 13 – May 27
LettuceSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 17 – Jul 1
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 20 – Aug 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 31 – Oct 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 3) and first fall frost (Sep 14) 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 96011 came on Feb 13 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

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 Big Bend, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96011 is Gasper — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gasper-Scarface complex, moist, 2 to 15 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 96011; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Big Bend, CA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, December
Hot days49days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,014base 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)
Precipitation77.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall19 inper year; 10 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 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 24 °F 49°24° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 27 °F 55°27° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 31 °F 62°31° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 37 °F 72°37° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 42 °F 81°42° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 48 °F 90°48° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 44 °F 88°44° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 38 °F 82°38° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 30 °F 68°30° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 26 °F 52°26° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 22 °F 44°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″14″January: 12.80 in precipitation, 4.3 in snowfall 12.8❄4 JanFebruary: 12.86 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 12.9❄6 FebMarch: 11.47 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 11.5❄1 MarApril: 5.85 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.8 AprMay: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 1.44 in precipitation 1.4 JunJuly: 0.12 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.89 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 OctNovember: 8.24 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 8.2❄1 NovDecember: 14.80 in precipitation, 6.7 in snowfall 14.8❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Burney, CA (17 mi away); precipitation: Pit Rvr Ph 5, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960137b
Burney, CA · 12 mi
960659a
Montgomery Creek, CA · 12 mi
960577b
Mccloud, CA · 15 mi
960849a
Round Mountain, CA · 18 mi
960178b
Castella, CA · 22 mi
960287b
Fall River Mills, CA · 23 mi
960167b
Cassel, CA · 23 mi
960519a
Lakehead, CA · 24 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96011

What planting zone is ZIP code 96011?

ZIP code 96011 (Big Bend, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Big Bend, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96011 is June 3; after June 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burney station.

When is the first frost in Big Bend, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96011 is September 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 102 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96011?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 8 – Apr 22 and set transplants outside around Jun 10 – Jun 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96011 get?

About 77.2 inches of precipitation a year and 19 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pit Rvr Ph 5 station).

How hot do summers get in Big Bend, CA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 49 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96011 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gasper at the center of ZIP 96011: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Big Bend, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96011 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Big Bend, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96011 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).