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

Planting zone for 96086 — Seiad Valley, CA

ZIP code 96086 (Seiad Valley, Siskiyou County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 96086 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 13
2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Seiad Valley, 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 Seiad Valley, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 22
Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Ruch, OR — 24 miles away, elevation 1,549 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 96086

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 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 96086 came on Feb 18 — 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

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 Seiad Valley, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96086 is Clallam family — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.0slightly 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: Clallam, deep-Holland families association, 30 to 70 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 96086; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Seiad Valley, CA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,844base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 14 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation66.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 33 °F 60°33° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 36 °F 65°36° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 42 °F 75°42° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 47 °F 82°47° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 52 °F 92°52° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 51 °F 91°51° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 45 °F 85°45° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 38 °F 72°38° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 10.30 in precipitation 10.3 JanFebruary: 8.44 in precipitation 8.4 FebMarch: 8.69 in precipitation 8.7 MarApril: 5.82 in precipitation 5.8 AprMay: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 MayJune: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 JunJuly: 0.40 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 1.13 in precipitation 1.1 SepOctober: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 OctNovember: 8.71 in precipitation 8.7 NovDecember: 12.78 in precipitation 12.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ruch, OR (24 mi away); precipitation: Bigelow Camp, OR (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960858a
Scott Bar, CA · 16 mi
960508a
Klamath River, CA · 17 mi
975308a
Jacksonville, OR · 17 mi
960398b
Happy Camp, CA · 19 mi
975448b
Williams, OR · 20 mi
975238b
Cave Junction, OR · 23 mi
975348b
O Brien, OR · 23 mi
960328a
Fort Jones, CA · 28 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96086

What planting zone is ZIP code 96086?

ZIP code 96086 (Seiad Valley, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Seiad Valley, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96086 is May 4; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ruch station.

When is the first frost in Seiad Valley, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96086 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96086?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96086 get?

About 66.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bigelow Camp station).

How hot do summers get in Seiad Valley, CA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96086 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clallam family at the center of ZIP 96086: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Seiad Valley, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96086 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Seiad Valley, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96086 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96086 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96086 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.