Planting zone for 96052 — Lewiston, CA
ZIP code 96052 (Lewiston, Trinity County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 22.
Where ZIP 96052 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 8b means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, CA
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 6.
From the NOAA station Trinity Rvr Hatchery, CA — 3 miles away, elevation 1,860 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 96052
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 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 96052 came on Feb 18 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).
Mar 42026
Feb 18
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 Lewiston, CA
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96052 is Tallowbox — gravelly coarse sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.
Map unit: TALLOWBOX-MINERSVILLE COMPLEX, 50 TO 75 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 96052; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Lewiston, CA
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Trinity Rvr Hatchery, CA (3 mi away); precipitation: Trinity Rvr Hatchery, CA (3 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.
Questions about 96052
What planting zone is ZIP code 96052?
ZIP code 96052 (Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, CA?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96052 is April 23; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Trinity Rvr Hatchery station.
When is the first frost in Lewiston, CA?
The median first fall frost near 96052 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 96052?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 96052 get?
About 32.4 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Trinity Rvr Hatchery station).
How hot do summers get in Lewiston, CA?
The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 78 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 96052 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Tallowbox at the center of ZIP 96052: gravelly coarse sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).
Did spring come early in Lewiston, CA in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 96052 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Lewiston, CA?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 96052 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).