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

Planting zone for 96025 — Dunsmuir, CA

ZIP code 96025 (Dunsmuir, Siskiyou County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 96025 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostApr 23

First frostOct 27

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Dunsmuir, 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 Dunsmuir, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 9

Growing season185 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl, CA — 2 miles away, elevation 2,169 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 96025

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 96025 came on Feb 23 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
Feb 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 Dunsmuir, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96025 is Ishi Pishi family — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ishi Pishi family-Ishi Pishi family, deep complex, 35 to 70 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 96025; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dunsmuir, CA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days59days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights105nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,829base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation63.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall27 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: Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl, CA (2 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.

960178b

Castella, CA · 7 mi

960678a

Mount Shasta, CA · 8 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96025

What planting zone is ZIP code 96025?

ZIP code 96025 (Dunsmuir, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Dunsmuir, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96025 is April 23; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl station.

When is the first frost in Dunsmuir, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96025 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96025?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96025 get?

About 63.3 inches of precipitation a year and 27 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl station).

How hot do summers get in Dunsmuir, CA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 59 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96025 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ishi Pishi family at the center of ZIP 96025: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Dunsmuir, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96025 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dunsmuir, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96025 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).