Planting zone for 96028 — Fall River Mills, CA
ZIP code 96028 (Fall River Mills, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost September 19.
Where ZIP 96028 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
Was 7a 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 7b means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Fall River Mills, 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 Fall River Mills, CA
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 4.
From the NOAA station Hat Creek, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 3,015 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 96028
Counted from the median last spring frost (May 29) and first fall frost (Sep 19) 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 96028 came on Feb 28 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).
Mar 162026
Feb 28
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 Fall River Mills, CA
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96028 is Jellycamp — very cobbly loam, moderately well drained.
Map unit: Jellycamp-Ollierivas complex, 2 to 9 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 96028; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Fall River Mills, CA
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hat Creek, CA (7 mi away); precipitation: Fall Rvr Mills, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
6 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 96028
What planting zone is ZIP code 96028?
ZIP code 96028 (Fall River Mills, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).
When is the last frost in Fall River Mills, CA?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96028 is May 29; after June 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hat Creek station.
When is the first frost in Fall River Mills, CA?
The median first fall frost near 96028 is September 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 113 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 96028?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 3 – Apr 17 and set transplants outside around Jun 5 – Jun 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 96028 get?
About 19 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fall Rvr Mills station).
How hot do summers get in Fall River Mills, CA?
The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 96028 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Jellycamp at the center of ZIP 96028: very cobbly loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).
Did spring come early in Fall River Mills, CA in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 96028 came on Feb 28 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Fall River Mills, CA?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 96028 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 96028 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96028 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.