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

Planting zone for 96068 — Nubieber, CA

ZIP code 96068 (Nubieber, Lassen County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 96068 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 frostMay 28
First frostSep 29
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 Nubieber, 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 Nubieber, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 10
Growing season125 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Adin Rs, CA — 15 miles away, elevation 4,196 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 96068

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 16 – May 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 28) and first fall frost (Sep 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 96068 came on Mar 4 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 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 Nubieber, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96068 is Bieber — gravelly sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bieber-Modoc complex, 0 to 5 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 96068; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nubieber, CA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, December
Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,289base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation19 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall3 inper year; 1 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 47 °F, low 25 °F 47°25° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 26 °F 50°26° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 29 °F 56°29° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 32 °F 62°32° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 39 °F 71°39° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 44 °F 79°44° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 51 °F 89°51° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 49 °F 88°49° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 43 °F 83°43° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 35 °F 69°35° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 28 °F 55°28° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.74 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 2.7 JanFebruary: 2.64 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 2.6❄1 FebMarch: 2.57 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 2.6❄1 MarApril: 1.59 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.6 AprMay: 1.47 in precipitation 1.5 MayJune: 0.77 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 1.15 in precipitation 1.1 OctNovember: 2.32 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 2.3 NovDecember: 3.09 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Adin Rs, CA (15 mi away); precipitation: Fall Rvr Mills, CA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960567a
Mcarthur, CA · 7 mi
960097a
Bieber, CA · 10 mi
960547a
Lookout, CA · 12 mi
960287b
Fall River Mills, CA · 15 mi
960067a
Adin, CA · 19 mi
960167b
Cassel, CA · 22 mi
960407a
Hat Creek, CA · 26 mi
960137b
Burney, CA · 27 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96068

What planting zone is ZIP code 96068?

ZIP code 96068 (Nubieber, 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 Nubieber, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96068 is May 28; after June 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Adin Rs station.

When is the first frost in Nubieber, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96068 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 125 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96068?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 2 – Apr 16 and set transplants outside around Jun 4 – Jun 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96068 get?

About 19 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fall Rvr Mills station).

How hot do summers get in Nubieber, CA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96068 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bieber at the center of ZIP 96068: gravelly sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Nubieber, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96068 came on Mar 4 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Nubieber, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96068 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).