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

Planting zone for 96051 — Lakehead, CA

ZIP code 96051 (Lakehead, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 8 and the first fall frost December 28.

Where ZIP 96051 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 frostFeb 8

First frostDec 28

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lakehead, 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 Lakehead, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 28median — 10% chance by Dec 1

Growing season322 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 18 and returns around January 4.

From the NOAA station Shasta Dam, CA — 15 miles away, elevation 1,076 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 96051

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 14 – Dec 28

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Nov 2 – Nov 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 14 – Jan 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 8) and first fall frost (Dec 28) 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 96051 came on Jan 31 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

average
Feb 102026
Jan 31

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 Lakehead, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96051 is Goulding family — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Goulding family, 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 96051; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lakehead, CA

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July

Winter low41 °Faverage low, January

Hot days90days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,342base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation63 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shasta Dam, CA (15 mi away); precipitation: Shasta Dam, CA (15 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.

Shasta Lake, CA · 16 mi

960199b

Shasta Lake, CA · 16 mi

960089b

Bella Vista, CA · 17 mi

960039b

Redding, CA · 17 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96051

What planting zone is ZIP code 96051?

ZIP code 96051 (Lakehead, 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 Lakehead, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96051 is February 8; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shasta Dam station.

When is the first frost in Lakehead, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96051 is December 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 322 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96051?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 14 – Dec 28 and set transplants outside around Feb 15 – Mar 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96051 get?

About 63 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shasta Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Lakehead, 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 96051 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Goulding family at the center of ZIP 96051: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Lakehead, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96051 came on Jan 31 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lakehead, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96051 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).