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

Planting zone for 96032 — Fort Jones, CA

ZIP code 96032 (Fort Jones, Siskiyou County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 96032 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 frostMay 20

First frostOct 5

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 Fort Jones, 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 Fort Jones, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Callahan, CA — 19 miles away, elevation 3,084 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 96032

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

BeansSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 20) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 96032 came on Mar 1 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
Mar 1

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 Fort Jones, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96032 is Marpa — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Marpa-Kinkel-Boomer, cool complex, 5 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 96032; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Jones, CA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights148nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,478base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation21.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Callahan, CA (19 mi away); precipitation: Oak Knoll W C, CA (19 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

960378a

Greenview, CA · 4 mi

960858a

Scott Bar, CA · 12 mi

960148a

Callahan, CA · 17 mi

960508a

Klamath River, CA · 19 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96032

What planting zone is ZIP code 96032?

ZIP code 96032 (Fort Jones, 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 Fort Jones, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96032 is May 20; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Callahan station.

When is the first frost in Fort Jones, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96032 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96032?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 25 – Apr 8 and set transplants outside around May 27 – Jun 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96032 get?

About 21.1 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oak Knoll W C station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Jones, CA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96032 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Marpa at the center of ZIP 96032: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fort Jones, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96032 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Jones, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96032 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96032 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96032 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.