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

Planting zone for 96065 — Montgomery Creek, CA

ZIP code 96065 (Montgomery Creek, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost September 14.

Where ZIP 96065 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostJun 3
First frostSep 14
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Montgomery 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 Montgomery Creek, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 14median — 10% chance by Sep 1
Growing season102 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Burney, CA — 16 miles away, elevation 3,199 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 96065

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 13 – May 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 13 – May 27
LettuceSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 17 – Jul 1
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 20 – Aug 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 31 – Oct 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 3) and first fall frost (Sep 14) 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 96065 came on Feb 2 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

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 Montgomery Creek, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96065 is Cohasset — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter89%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cohasset stony loam, 10 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 22B.

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 96065; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Montgomery Creek, CA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, December
Hot days49days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,014base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 07 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation68.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall21 inper year; 9 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 24 °F 49°24° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 27 °F 55°27° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 31 °F 62°31° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 37 °F 72°37° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 42 °F 81°42° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 48 °F 90°48° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 44 °F 88°44° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 38 °F 82°38° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 30 °F 68°30° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 26 °F 52°26° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 22 °F 44°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″14″January: 11.06 in precipitation, 7 in snowfall 11.1❄7 JanFebruary: 9.68 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 9.7❄4 FebMarch: 9.59 in precipitation, 6.8 in snowfall 9.6❄7 MarApril: 6.35 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 6.3 AprMay: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 JunJuly: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.35 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.94 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 7.52 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 7.5❄1 NovDecember: 13.19 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 13.2❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Burney, CA (16 mi away); precipitation: Buckhorn, CA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960849a
Round Mountain, CA · 8 mi
960118b
Big Bend, CA · 12 mi
960089b
Bella Vista, CA · 14 mi
960699a
Oak Run, CA · 14 mi
960137b
Burney, CA · 15 mi
960709a
Obrien, CA · 16 mi
960969a
Whitmore, CA · 18 mi
960167b
Cassel, CA · 23 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96065

What planting zone is ZIP code 96065?

ZIP code 96065 (Montgomery Creek, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Montgomery Creek, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96065 is June 3; after June 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burney station.

When is the first frost in Montgomery Creek, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96065 is September 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 102 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96065?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 8 – Apr 22 and set transplants outside around Jun 10 – Jun 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96065 get?

About 68.5 inches of precipitation a year and 21 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Buckhorn station).

How hot do summers get in Montgomery Creek, CA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 49 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96065 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cohasset at the center of ZIP 96065: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 96065 came on Feb 2 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Montgomery Creek, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96065 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96065 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96065 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.