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

Planting zone for 96096 — Whitmore, CA

ZIP code 96096 (Whitmore, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost September 21.

Where ZIP 96096 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 frostJun 9
First frostSep 21
2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Whitmore, 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 Whitmore, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 21median — 10% chance by Sep 1
Growing season102 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 22 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Manzanita Lake, CA — 17 miles away, elevation 5,752 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 96096

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
LettuceSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 27 – Aug 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 7 – Oct 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 9) and first fall frost (Sep 21) 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 96096 came on Jan 24 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

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 Whitmore, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96096 is Aiken — stony loam, well drained.

TextureStony loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Aiken stony loam, 15 to 30 percent.

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 96096; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Whitmore, CA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights195nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,295base 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)
Precipitation51.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 22 °F 42°22° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° MarApril: average high 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° AprMay: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 41 °F 70°41° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 46 °F 79°46° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 45 °F 78°45° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 41 °F 72°41° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″January: 9.08 in precipitation 9.1 JanFebruary: 6.61 in precipitation 6.6 FebMarch: 7.22 in precipitation 7.2 MarApril: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 MayJune: 1.30 in precipitation 1.3 JunJuly: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 SepOctober: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 5.63 in precipitation 5.6 NovDecember: 10.79 in precipitation 10.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Manzanita Lake, CA (17 mi away); precipitation: Shingletown 5.3 Ene, CA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960699a
Oak Run, CA · 8 mi
960889b
Shingletown, CA · 9 mi
960849a
Round Mountain, CA · 11 mi
960629a
Millville, CA · 13 mi
960089b
Bella Vista, CA · 14 mi
960599a
Manton, CA · 14 mi
960739a
Palo Cedro, CA · 17 mi
960709a
Obrien, CA · 18 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96096

What planting zone is ZIP code 96096?

ZIP code 96096 (Whitmore, 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 Whitmore, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96096 is June 9; after June 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manzanita Lake station.

When is the first frost in Whitmore, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96096 is September 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 102 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96096?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 14 – Apr 28 and set transplants outside around Jun 16 – Jun 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96096 get?

About 51.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shingletown 5.3 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Whitmore, CA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96096 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Aiken at the center of ZIP 96096: stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Whitmore, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96096 came on Jan 24 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Whitmore, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96096 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).