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

Planting zone for 96061 — Mill Creek, CA

ZIP code 96061 (Mill Creek, Tehama County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost September 13.

Where ZIP 96061 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 frostJun 10

First frostSep 13

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 Mill 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 Mill Creek, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostSeptember 13median — 10% chance by Aug 22

Growing season96 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 19 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Mineral, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 4,876 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 96061

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 13 – May 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

LettuceSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 17 – Jul 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 24 – Jul 8

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 17 – Jul 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 17 – Jul 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 17 – Jul 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 19 – Aug 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 30 – Oct 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 10) and first fall frost (Sep 13) 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 96061 came on Mar 10 — 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Mar 10

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 Mill Creek, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96061 is Nanny — stony loam, well drained.

TextureStony loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter6.5%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nanny stony loam, 0 to 8 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 96061; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mill Creek, CA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,393base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50.1 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: Mineral, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Mineral, CA (6 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 · 20 mi

959237b

Canyon Dam, CA · 22 mi

960889b

Shingletown, CA · 23 mi

960717a

Old Station, CA · 24 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96061

What planting zone is ZIP code 96061?

ZIP code 96061 (Mill 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 Mill Creek, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96061 is June 10; after June 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mineral station.

When is the first frost in Mill Creek, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96061 is September 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 96 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96061?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 15 – Apr 29 and set transplants outside around Jun 17 – Jul 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96061 get?

About 50.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mineral station).

How hot do summers get in Mill Creek, CA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96061 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nanny at the center of ZIP 96061: stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 96061 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mill Creek, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96061 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).