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

Planting zone for 96033 — French Gulch, CA

ZIP code 96033 (French Gulch, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 22.

Where ZIP 96033 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 19
First frostNov 22
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for French Gulch, 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 French Gulch, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 4
Growing season250 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 10 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Redding 12 Wnw, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 1,417 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 96033

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 27 – Oct 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 8 – Dec 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 22) 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 96033 came on Feb 3 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

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 French Gulch, CA

The center of ZIP 96033 is mapped as Rockland: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 96033; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in French Gulch, CA

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, December
Hot days89days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,476base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation47.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 38 °F 58°38° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 58 °F 87°58° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 63 °F 96°63° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 61 °F 94°61° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 57 °F 89°57° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 36 °F 53°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.52 in precipitation 7.5 JanFebruary: 8.38 in precipitation 8.4 FebMarch: 7.49 in precipitation 7.5 MarApril: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 2.35 in precipitation 2.4 MayJune: 0.81 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.21 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 2.84 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 8.64 in precipitation 8.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Redding 12 Wnw, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Redding 12 Wnw, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

7 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

960959b
Whiskeytown, CA · 7 mi
960879a
Shasta, CA · 7 mi
960199b
Shasta Lake, CA · 11 mi
960528b
Lewiston, CA · 11 mi
960999b
Redding, CA · 11 mi
960019b
Redding, CA · 13 mi
960799b
Shasta Lake, CA · 14 mi
960499b
Redding, CA · 15 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96033

What planting zone is ZIP code 96033?

ZIP code 96033 (French Gulch, 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 French Gulch, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96033 is March 19; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redding 12 Wnw station.

When is the first frost in French Gulch, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96033 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96033?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96033 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redding 12 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in French Gulch, CA?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 89 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in French Gulch, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96033 came on Feb 3 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in French Gulch, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96033 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96033 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96033 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.