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

Planting zone for 96076 — Platina, CA

ZIP code 96076 (Platina, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 96076 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 frostMay 3

First frostOct 11

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Platina, 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 Platina, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season159 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Weaverville, CA — 24 miles away, elevation 2,057 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 96076

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 96076 came on Feb 5 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27).

average
Feb 272026
Feb 5

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 Platina, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96076 is Holland family — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Holland, deep-neuns families complex, 40 to 60 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 96076; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Platina, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days85days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights106nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,089base 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)

Precipitation37.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall9 inper year; 6 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: Weaverville, CA (24 mi away); precipitation: Weaverville, CA (24 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.

960248b

Douglas City, CA · 11 mi

Mad River, CA · 25 mi

960938b

Weaverville, CA · 26 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96076

What planting zone is ZIP code 96076?

ZIP code 96076 (Platina, 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 Platina, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96076 is May 3; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Weaverville station.

When is the first frost in Platina, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96076 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 159 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96076?

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

How much rain and snow does 96076 get?

About 37.5 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Weaverville station).

How hot do summers get in Platina, CA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 85 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96076 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Holland family at the center of ZIP 96076: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Platina, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96076 came on Feb 5 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Platina, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96076 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96076 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96076 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.