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

Planting zone for 96063 — Mineral, CA

ZIP code 96063 (Mineral, Tehama County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost September 13.

Where ZIP 96063 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostJun 10
First frostSep 13
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mineral, 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 Mineral, 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 — 2 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 96063

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 96063 came on Mar 9 — 31 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

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 Mineral, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96063 is Windy — stony sandy loam, well drained.

TextureStony sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter9%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Windy stony sandy loam, 30 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 96063; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mineral, 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 24 °F 43°24° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 29 °F 54°29° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 35 °F 63°35° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 40 °F 73°40° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 44 °F 83°44° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 42 °F 82°42° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 38 °F 77°38° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 32 °F 64°32° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 27 °F 50°27° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 8.29 in precipitation 8.3 JanFebruary: 8.28 in precipitation 8.3 FebMarch: 7.56 in precipitation 7.6 MarApril: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 AprMay: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 MayJune: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 JunJuly: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 NovDecember: 9.23 in precipitation 9.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mineral, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Mineral, CA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960617a
Mill Creek, CA · 6 mi
960599a
Manton, CA · 13 mi
960759b
Paynes Creek, CA · 14 mi
960889b
Shingletown, CA · 17 mi
960207a
Chester, CA · 19 mi
961377a
Westwood, CA · 21 mi
960969a
Whitmore, CA · 23 mi
960717a
Old Station, CA · 24 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96063

What planting zone is ZIP code 96063?

ZIP code 96063 (Mineral, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Mineral, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96063 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 Mineral, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96063 is September 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 96 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96063?

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 96063 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Mineral, 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 96063 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Windy at the center of ZIP 96063: stony sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Mineral, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96063 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 31 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mineral, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96063 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96063 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96063 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.