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

Planting zone for 96041 — Hayfork, CA

ZIP code 96041 (Hayfork, Trinity County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 96041 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostApr 16

First frostOct 31

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hayfork, 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 Hayfork, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season197 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Big Bar 4 E, CA — 16 miles away, elevation 1,253 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 96041

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 96041 came on Feb 5 — 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).

average
Mar 42026
Feb 5

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 Hayfork, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96041 is Hohmann family — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hohmann-Hugo families complex, 40 to 60 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 96041; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hayfork, CA

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days90days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,431base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 2 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: Big Bar 4 E, CA (16 mi away); precipitation: Big Bar 4 E, CA (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Mad River, CA · 16 mi

960248b

Douglas City, CA · 17 mi

960938b

Weaverville, CA · 22 mi

960488b

Junction City, CA · 24 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96041

What planting zone is ZIP code 96041?

ZIP code 96041 (Hayfork, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Hayfork, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96041 is April 16; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Bar 4 E station.

When is the first frost in Hayfork, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96041 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96041?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96041 get?

About 35.8 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Bar 4 E station).

How hot do summers get in Hayfork, CA?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in July, with about 90 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96041 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hohmann family at the center of ZIP 96041: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hayfork, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96041 came on Feb 5 in 2026, 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hayfork, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96041 is 15 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96041 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96041 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.