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

Planting zone for 96099 — Redding, CA

ZIP code 96099 (Redding, Shasta County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 8 and the first fall frost December 28.

Where ZIP 96099 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 8
First frostDec 28
2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Redding, 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 Redding, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 28median — 10% chance by Dec 1
Growing season322 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 18 and returns around January 4.

From the NOAA station Shasta Dam, CA — 2 miles away, elevation 1,076 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 96099

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 14 – Dec 28
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Nov 2 – Nov 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 14 – Jan 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 8) and first fall frost (Dec 28) 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 96099 came on Jan 19 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

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 Redding, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96099 is Boomer — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Boomer gravelly loam, 13 to 52 percent slopes, MLRA 15.

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 96099; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Redding, CA

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July
Winter low41 °Faverage low, January
Hot days90days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,342base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 06 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)
Precipitation63 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 41 °F 55°41° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 42 °F 59°42° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 44 °F 63°44° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 63 °F 88°63° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 69 °F 97°69° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 68 °F 96°68° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 63 °F 90°63° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 46 °F 62°46° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 41 °F 54°41° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″January: 10.51 in precipitation 10.5 JanFebruary: 11.41 in precipitation 11.4 FebMarch: 9.24 in precipitation 9.2 MarApril: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 MayJune: 1.51 in precipitation 1.5 JunJuly: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 JulAugust: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 6.59 in precipitation 6.6 NovDecember: 11.99 in precipitation 12.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shasta Dam, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Shasta Dam, CA (2 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.

960199b
Shasta Lake, CA · 1 mi
960799b
Shasta Lake, CA · 3 mi
960499b
Redding, CA · 4 mi
960039b
Redding, CA · 4 mi
960019b
Redding, CA · 9 mi
960959b
Whiskeytown, CA · 10 mi
960709a
Obrien, CA · 10 mi
960339a
French Gulch, CA · 11 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Redding → · California planting zones →

Questions about 96099

What planting zone is ZIP code 96099?

ZIP code 96099 (Redding, 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 Redding, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96099 is February 8; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shasta Dam station.

When is the first frost in Redding, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96099 is December 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 322 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96099?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 14 – Dec 28 and set transplants outside around Feb 15 – Mar 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96099 get?

About 63 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shasta Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Redding, CA?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in July, with about 90 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96099 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Boomer at the center of ZIP 96099: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Redding, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96099 came on Jan 19 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Redding, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96099 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96099 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96099 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.