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

Planting zone for 96075 — Paynes Creek, CA

ZIP code 96075 (Paynes Creek, Tehama County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost September 13.

Where ZIP 96075 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 frostJun 10

First frostSep 13

2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — a full 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 Paynes 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 Paynes Creek, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 13median — 10% chance by Aug 22

Growing season96 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 19 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Mineral, CA — 14 miles away, elevation 4,876 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 96075

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 13 – May 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

LettuceSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 17 – Jul 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 24 – Jul 8

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 17 – Jul 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 17 – Jul 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 17 – Jul 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 19 – Aug 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 30 – Oct 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 10) and first fall frost (Sep 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 96075 came on Jan 28 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
Jan 28

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 Paynes Creek, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96075 is Supan — stony loam, well drained.

TextureStony loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Supan stony loam, 30 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 96075; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Paynes Creek, CA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,393base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation35.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 2 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mineral, CA (14 mi away); precipitation: Volta Ph, CA (7 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.

960599a

Manton, CA · 6 mi

960889b

Shingletown, CA · 10 mi

960637b

Mineral, CA · 14 mi

960629a

Millville, CA · 17 mi

960969a

Whitmore, CA · 19 mi

960559b

Los Molinos, CA · 19 mi

960739a

Palo Cedro, CA · 23 mi

960699a

Oak Run, CA · 23 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96075

What planting zone is ZIP code 96075?

ZIP code 96075 (Paynes Creek, 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 Paynes Creek, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96075 is June 10; after June 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mineral station.

When is the first frost in Paynes Creek, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96075 is September 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 96 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96075?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 15 – Apr 29 and set transplants outside around Jun 17 – Jul 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96075 get?

About 35.5 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Volta Ph station).

How hot do summers get in Paynes Creek, CA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96075 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Supan at the center of ZIP 96075: stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 96075 came on Jan 28 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Paynes Creek, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96075 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96075 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96075 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.