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

Planting zone for 96079 — Shasta Lake, CA

ZIP code 96079 (Shasta Lake, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 8 and the first fall frost December 28.

Where ZIP 96079 is

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 frostFeb 8

First frostDec 28

2012 zone9b

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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Shasta Lake, 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 Shasta Lake, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 28median — 10% chance by Dec 1

Growing season322 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 18 and returns around January 4.

From the NOAA station Shasta Dam, CA — 5 miles away, elevation 1,076 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 96079

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 14 – Dec 28

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Nov 2 – Nov 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 14 – Jan 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 8) and first fall frost (Dec 28) 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 96079 came on Jan 27 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
Jan 27

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 Shasta Lake, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96079 is Goulding — very stony loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Goulding very rocky loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded.

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 96079; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shasta Lake, CA

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July

Winter low41 °Faverage low, January

Hot days90days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,342base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 05 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)

Precipitation48.8 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: Shasta Dam, CA (5 mi away); precipitation: Redding 7.9 Nne, CA (2 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.

Shasta Lake, CA · 3 mi

960709a

Obrien, CA · 8 mi

960739a

Palo Cedro, CA · 10 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Shasta Lake → · California planting zones →

Questions about 96079

What planting zone is ZIP code 96079?

ZIP code 96079 (Shasta Lake, 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 Shasta Lake, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96079 is February 8; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shasta Dam station.

When is the first frost in Shasta Lake, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96079 is December 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 322 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96079?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 14 – Dec 28 and set transplants outside around Feb 15 – Mar 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96079 get?

About 48.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redding 7.9 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Shasta Lake, CA?

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

What kind of soil does 96079 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Goulding at the center of ZIP 96079: very stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Shasta Lake, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96079 came on Jan 27 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shasta Lake, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96079 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).