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

Planting zone for 96071 — Old Station, CA

ZIP code 96071 (Old Station, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost September 21.

Where ZIP 96071 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 9
First frostSep 21
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 Old Station, 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 Old Station, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 21median — 10% chance by Sep 1
Growing season102 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 22 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Manzanita Lake, CA — 12 miles away, elevation 5,752 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 96071

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
LettuceSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 27 – Aug 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 7 – Oct 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 9) and first fall frost (Sep 21) 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 96071 came on Mar 2 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

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 Old Station, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96071 is Typic Xerorthents — gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Typic Xerorthents-Yallani family association, 35 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 96071; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Old Station, CA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights195nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,295base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation42.1 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 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 22 °F 42°22° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° MarApril: average high 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° AprMay: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 41 °F 70°41° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 46 °F 79°46° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 45 °F 78°45° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 41 °F 72°41° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 6.50 in precipitation 6.5 JanFebruary: 5.51 in precipitation 5.5 FebMarch: 6.43 in precipitation 6.4 MarApril: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 MayJune: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 JunJuly: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.65 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 NovDecember: 6.49 in precipitation 6.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Manzanita Lake, CA (12 mi away); precipitation: Manzanita Lake, CA (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960407a
Hat Creek, CA · 7 mi
960167b
Cassel, CA · 14 mi
961377a
Westwood, CA · 20 mi
960287b
Fall River Mills, CA · 22 mi
960969a
Whitmore, CA · 22 mi
960849a
Round Mountain, CA · 23 mi
960137b
Burney, CA · 23 mi
960637b
Mineral, CA · 24 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96071

What planting zone is ZIP code 96071?

ZIP code 96071 (Old Station, 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 Old Station, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96071 is June 9; after June 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manzanita Lake station.

When is the first frost in Old Station, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96071 is September 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 102 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96071?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 14 – Apr 28 and set transplants outside around Jun 16 – Jun 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96071 get?

About 42.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manzanita Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Old Station, CA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96071 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Typic Xerorthents at the center of ZIP 96071: gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Old Station, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96071 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Old Station, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96071 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).