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

Planting zone for 96027 — Etna, CA

ZIP code 96027 (Etna, Siskiyou County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 26.

Where ZIP 96027 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 frostMar 12
First frostNov 26
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Etna, 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 Etna, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 26median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season262 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 28 and returns around December 17.

From the NOAA station Orleans, CA — 17 miles away, elevation 404 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 96027

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 1 – Oct 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 12 – Dec 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 26) 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 96027 came on Feb 27 — 38 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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 Etna, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96027 is Entic Xerumbrepts — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Entic Xerumbrepts-Gerle family association, 30 to 90 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 96027; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Etna, CA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,580base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation45.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 37 °F 50°37° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 39 °F 55°39° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 52 °F 83°52° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 57 °F 92°57° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 56 °F 91°56° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 52 °F 86°52° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 42 °F 56°42° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 37 °F 48°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 8.57 in precipitation 8.6 JanFebruary: 6.91 in precipitation 6.9 FebMarch: 5.71 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 MayJune: 0.92 in precipitation 0.9 JunJuly: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.26 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.81 in precipitation 0.8 SepOctober: 2.47 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 4.96 in precipitation 5.0 NovDecember: 9.25 in precipitation 9.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Orleans, CA (17 mi away); precipitation: Forks Of Salmon 1.0 Nw, CA (10 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.

960318b
Forks Of Salmon, CA · 15 mi
955688b
Somes Bar, CA · 15 mi
960328a
Fort Jones, CA · 19 mi
960378a
Greenview, CA · 19 mi
955569a
Orleans, CA · 19 mi
960398b
Happy Camp, CA · 21 mi
960148a
Callahan, CA · 23 mi
960858a
Scott Bar, CA · 26 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96027

What planting zone is ZIP code 96027?

ZIP code 96027 (Etna, 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 Etna, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96027 is March 12; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orleans station.

When is the first frost in Etna, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96027 is November 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 262 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96027?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96027 get?

About 45.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Forks Of Salmon 1.0 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Etna, CA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96027 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Entic Xerumbrepts at the center of ZIP 96027: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Etna, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96027 came on Feb 27 in 2026, 38 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Etna, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96027 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96027 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96027 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.