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

Planting zone for 96055 — Los Molinos, CA

ZIP code 96055 (Los Molinos, Tehama County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 22 and the first fall frost November 29.

Where ZIP 96055 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostFeb 22

First frostNov 29

2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Los Molinos, 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 Los Molinos, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 29median — 10% chance by Nov 12

Growing season281 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 13 and returns around December 15.

From the NOAA station Red Bluff Municipal Airport, CA — 14 miles away, elevation 354 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 96055

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 14 – Dec 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 14 – Dec 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 4 – Oct 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 15 – Dec 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 22) and first fall frost (Nov 29) 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 96055 came on Jan 25 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
Jan 25

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 Los Molinos, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96055 is Toomes — very stony loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Toomes extremely rocky loam, 1 to 50 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 96055; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Los Molinos, CA

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days104days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,227base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 19 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation25.1 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: Red Bluff Municipal Airport, CA (14 mi away); precipitation: Red Bluff Trtmt Plt, CA (12 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.

Paynes Creek, CA · 19 mi

959279a

Chico, CA · 20 mi

959429a

Forest Ranch, CA · 22 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96055

What planting zone is ZIP code 96055?

ZIP code 96055 (Los Molinos, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Los Molinos, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96055 is February 22; after March 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Red Bluff Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Los Molinos, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96055 is November 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 281 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96055?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 28 – Jan 11 and set transplants outside around Mar 1 – Mar 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96055 get?

About 25.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Red Bluff Trtmt Plt station).

How hot do summers get in Los Molinos, CA?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in July, with about 104 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96055 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Toomes at the center of ZIP 96055: very stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Los Molinos, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96055 came on Jan 25 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Los Molinos, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96055 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96055 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96055 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.