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

Planting zone for 96040 — Hat Creek, CA

ZIP code 96040 (Hat Creek, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost September 19.

Where ZIP 96040 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostMay 29

First frostSep 19

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hat Creek, 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 Hat Creek, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 19median — 10% chance by Sep 5

Growing season113 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Hat Creek, CA — 11 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 96040

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22

LettuceSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 25 – Aug 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 5 – Oct 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

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 96040 came on Mar 4 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
Mar 4

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 Hat Creek, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96040 is Lithic Xerochrepts — cobbly sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureCobbly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lava Flow-Lithic Xerochrepts complex, 0 to 35 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 96040; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hat Creek, CA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights179nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,240base 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)

Precipitation19.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall11 inper year; 8 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: Hat Creek, CA (11 mi away); precipitation: Hat Creek, CA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960717a

Old Station, CA · 7 mi

960167b

Cassel, CA · 7 mi

960287b

Fall River Mills, CA · 15 mi

960137b

Burney, CA · 17 mi

960849a

Round Mountain, CA · 21 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96040

What planting zone is ZIP code 96040?

ZIP code 96040 (Hat Creek, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Hat Creek, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96040 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 Hat Creek, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96040 is September 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 113 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96040?

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 96040 get?

About 19.3 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hat Creek station).

How hot do summers get in Hat Creek, 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 96040 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lithic Xerochrepts at the center of ZIP 96040: cobbly sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hat Creek, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96040 came on Mar 4 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hat Creek, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96040 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).