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

Planting zone for 96097 — Yreka, CA

ZIP code 96097 (Yreka, Siskiyou County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 96097 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostApr 30

First frostOct 18

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Yreka, 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 Yreka, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Yreka, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 2,710 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 96097

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 96097 came on Feb 22 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
Feb 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 Yreka, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96097 is Bogus — 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 matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bogus stony loam, 15 to 50 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 96097; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Yreka, CA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days67days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights142nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,983base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation18.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall12 inper year; 5 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Yreka, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Yreka, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

960388a

Grenada, CA · 12 mi

960448a

Hornbrook, CA · 12 mi

960647b

Montague, CA · 15 mi

960508a

Klamath River, CA · 16 mi

960378a

Greenview, CA · 20 mi

960328a

Fort Jones, CA · 20 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96097

What planting zone is ZIP code 96097?

ZIP code 96097 (Yreka, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Yreka, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96097 is April 30; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Yreka station.

When is the first frost in Yreka, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96097 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96097?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96097 get?

About 18.9 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Yreka station).

How hot do summers get in Yreka, CA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 67 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96097 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bogus at the center of ZIP 96097: stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Yreka, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96097 came on Feb 22 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Yreka, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96097 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96097 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96097 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.