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

Planting zone for 96022 — Cottonwood, CA

ZIP code 96022 (Cottonwood, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 96022 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 3

First frostNov 21

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 7

Growing season261 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 27 and returns around December 7.

From the NOAA station Redding Municipal Airport, CA — 15 miles away, elevation 499 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 96022

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 3) and first fall frost (Nov 21) 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 96022 came on Jan 29 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
Jan 29

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 Cottonwood, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96022 is Red Bluff — gravelly loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Red Bluff gravelly loam, hardpan substratum, 0 to 3 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 96022; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cottonwood, CA

Summer high100 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, December

Hot days106days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights27nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,311base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34.7 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: Redding Municipal Airport, CA (15 mi away); precipitation: Cottonwood 3.9 Sw, CA (6 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.

960079a

Anderson, CA · 11 mi

960809b

Red Bluff, CA · 12 mi

Whiskeytown, CA · 22 mi

960879a

Shasta, CA · 22 mi

960739a

Palo Cedro, CA · 22 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96022

What planting zone is ZIP code 96022?

ZIP code 96022 (Cottonwood, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Cottonwood, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96022 is March 3; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redding Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Cottonwood, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96022 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 261 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96022?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 6 – Jan 20 and set transplants outside around Mar 10 – Mar 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96022 get?

About 34.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cottonwood 3.9 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Cottonwood, CA?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in July, with about 106 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96022 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Red Bluff at the center of ZIP 96022: gravelly loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Cottonwood, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96022 came on Jan 29 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cottonwood, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96022 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).