Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 96074 — Paskenta, CA

ZIP code 96074 (Paskenta, Tehama County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 96074 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostApr 5

First frostNov 13

2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Paskenta, 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 Paskenta, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season220 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around November 29.

From the NOAA station Stony Gorge Rsvr, CA — 19 miles away, elevation 801 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 96074

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 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 96074 came on Jan 24 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
Jan 24

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 Paskenta, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96074 is Millsholm — very gravelly coarse sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly coarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.8%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Millsholm very gravelly coarse sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 15.

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 96074; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Paskenta, CA

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, December

Hot days97days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights57nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,253base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation21.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Stony Gorge Rsvr, CA (19 mi away); precipitation: Stony Gorge Rsvr, CA (19 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.

Elk Creek, CA · 21 mi

960809b

Red Bluff, CA · 22 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96074

What planting zone is ZIP code 96074?

ZIP code 96074 (Paskenta, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Paskenta, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96074 is April 5; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stony Gorge Rsvr station.

When is the first frost in Paskenta, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96074 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 220 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96074?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96074 get?

About 21.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stony Gorge Rsvr station).

How hot do summers get in Paskenta, CA?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 97 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96074 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Millsholm at the center of ZIP 96074: very gravelly coarse sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Paskenta, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96074 came on Jan 24 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Paskenta, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96074 is 15 h 00 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 96074 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96074 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.