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

Planting zone for 96095 — Whiskeytown, CA

ZIP code 96095 (Whiskeytown, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost December 13.

Where ZIP 96095 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 13

First frostDec 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 Whiskeytown, 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 Whiskeytown, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 20

Growing season304 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 3 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Whiskeytown Rsvr, CA — 2 miles away, elevation 1,296 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 96095

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 18 – Nov 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 29 – Jan 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 13) and first fall frost (Dec 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 96095 came on Jan 23 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
Jan 23

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 Whiskeytown, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96095 is Boomer — very stony clay loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.8moderately 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: Boomer very stony clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, severely 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 96095; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Whiskeytown, CA

Summer high99 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days98days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights20nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,188base 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)

Precipitation62.9 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: Whiskeytown Rsvr, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Whiskeytown Rsvr, 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.

French Gulch, CA · 7 mi

960199b

Shasta Lake, CA · 9 mi

960999b

Redding, CA · 10 mi

960799b

Shasta Lake, CA · 12 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96095

What planting zone is ZIP code 96095?

ZIP code 96095 (Whiskeytown, 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 Whiskeytown, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96095 is February 13; after March 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whiskeytown Rsvr station.

When is the first frost in Whiskeytown, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96095 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 304 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96095?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 19 – Jan 2 and set transplants outside around Feb 20 – Mar 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96095 get?

About 62.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whiskeytown Rsvr station).

How hot do summers get in Whiskeytown, CA?

The average high peaks at 99 °F in July, with about 98 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96095 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Boomer at the center of ZIP 96095: very stony clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Whiskeytown, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96095 came on Jan 23 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Whiskeytown, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96095 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96095 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96095 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.