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

Planting zone for 96064 — Montague, CA

ZIP code 96064 (Montague, Siskiyou County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 96064 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 frostMay 12
First frostOct 8
2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Montague, 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 Montague, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Montague Siskiyou Co. Airport, CA — 6 miles away, elevation 2,635 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 96064

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 96064 came on Feb 27 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

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 Montague, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96064 is Kuck — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Kuck clay loam, 2 to 9 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 96064; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Montague, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights137nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,804base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation12 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 27 °F 53°27° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 31 °F 58°31° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 34 °F 64°34° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 41 °F 74°41° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 47 °F 83°47° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 55 °F 93°55° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 53 °F 92°53° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 45 °F 84°45° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 36 °F 70°36° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 30 °F 54°30° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 26 °F 46°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 1.43 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.41 in precipitation 1.4 FebMarch: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 1.07 in precipitation 1.1 AprMay: 1.05 in precipitation 1.1 MayJune: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 0.86 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 1.34 in precipitation 1.3 NovDecember: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Montague Siskiyou Co. Airport, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Montague Siskiyou Co. Airport, CA (6 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.

960388a
Grenada, CA · 14 mi
960978a
Yreka, CA · 15 mi
960948a
Weed, CA · 17 mi
960448a
Hornbrook, CA · 20 mi
960236b
Dorris, CA · 23 mi
960586b
Macdoel, CA · 24 mi
960348a
Gazelle, CA · 25 mi
976276b
Keno, OR · 27 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96064

What planting zone is ZIP code 96064?

ZIP code 96064 (Montague, 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 Montague, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96064 is May 12; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montague Siskiyou Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Montague, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96064 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96064?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96064 get?

About 12 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montague Siskiyou Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Montague, CA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96064 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kuck at the center of ZIP 96064: clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Montague, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96064 came on Feb 27 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Montague, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96064 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).