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

Planting zone for 96103 — Blairsden Graeagle, CA

ZIP code 96103 (Blairsden Graeagle, Plumas County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 11 and the first fall frost September 10.

Where ZIP 96103 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostJun 11
First frostSep 10
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Blairsden Graeagle, 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 Blairsden Graeagle, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJuly 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 10median — 10% chance by Aug 22
Growing season91 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 17 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Portola, CA — 11 miles away, elevation 4,849 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 96103

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 14 – May 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
LettuceSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 18 – Jul 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 25 – Jul 9
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 18 – Jul 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 18 – Jul 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 18 – Jul 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 16 – Jul 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 27 – Oct 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 11) and first fall frost (Sep 10) 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 96103 came on Mar 5 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

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 Blairsden Graeagle, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96103 is Chaix family — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chaix-Wapi families complex, 2 to 30 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 96103; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Blairsden Graeagle, CA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights205nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,616base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation23.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall38 inper year; 29 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 19 °F 43°19° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 21 °F 46°21° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 25 °F 52°25° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 29 °F 58°29° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 35 °F 67°35° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 40 °F 77°40° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 45 °F 86°45° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 43 °F 85°43° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 37 °F 79°37° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 30 °F 66°30° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 24 °F 53°24° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 19 °F 42°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.16 in precipitation, 11.7 in snowfall 4.2❄12 JanFebruary: 3.93 in precipitation, 7.6 in snowfall 3.9❄8 FebMarch: 3.57 in precipitation, 6.4 in snowfall 3.6❄6 MarApril: 1.55 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 1.6❄2 AprMay: 1.15 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 1.1 MayJune: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.44 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.4 SepOctober: 1.07 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 1.1 OctNovember: 2.03 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 2.0❄2 NovDecember: 4.28 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 4.3❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Portola, CA (11 mi away); precipitation: Portola, CA (11 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.

961067a
Clio, CA · 7 mi
961226b
Portola, CA · 11 mi
961257a
Sierra City, CA · 12 mi
961246b
Calpine, CA · 15 mi
959368a
Downieville, CA · 15 mi
961296b
Beckwourth, CA · 17 mi
959717b
Quincy, CA · 17 mi
959448b
Goodyears Bar, CA · 19 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96103

What planting zone is ZIP code 96103?

ZIP code 96103 (Blairsden Graeagle, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Blairsden Graeagle, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96103 is June 11; after July 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portola station.

When is the first frost in Blairsden Graeagle, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96103 is September 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 91 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96103?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 16 – Apr 30 and set transplants outside around Jun 18 – Jul 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96103 get?

About 23.3 inches of precipitation a year and 38 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portola station).

How hot do summers get in Blairsden Graeagle, CA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96103 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chaix family at the center of ZIP 96103: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Blairsden Graeagle, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96103 came on Mar 5 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Blairsden Graeagle, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96103 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.