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

Planting zone for 96087 — Shasta, CA

ZIP code 96087 (Shasta, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 22.

Where ZIP 96087 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 frostMar 19

First frostNov 22

2012 zone9b

Was 9b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder 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 Shasta, 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, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 4

Growing season250 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 10 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Redding 12 Wnw, CA — 2 miles away, elevation 1,417 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 96087

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 27 – Oct 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 8 – Dec 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 22) 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 96087 came on Jan 29 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
Jan 29

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, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96087 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 96087; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shasta, CA

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, December

Hot days89days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,476base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.1 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: Redding 12 Wnw, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Redding 12 Wnw, CA (2 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.

960959b

Whiskeytown, CA · 1 mi

960339a

French Gulch, CA · 7 mi

960019b

Redding, CA · 8 mi

960199b

Shasta Lake, CA · 11 mi

Shasta Lake, CA · 14 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96087

What planting zone is ZIP code 96087?

ZIP code 96087 (Shasta, 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 Shasta, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96087 is March 19; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redding 12 Wnw station.

When is the first frost in Shasta, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96087 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96087?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96087 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redding 12 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Shasta, CA?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 89 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96087 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Goulding at the center of ZIP 96087: very stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Shasta, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96087 came on Jan 29 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shasta, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96087 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96087 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96087 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.