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

Planting zone for 96111 — Floriston, CA

ZIP code 96111 (Floriston, Nevada County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 96111 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 9

First frostOct 17

2012 zone7a

Was 7a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Floriston, 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 Floriston, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Verdi 2w, CA — 7 miles away, elevation 5,430 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 96111

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 96111 came on Mar 15 — 37 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
Mar 15

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 Floriston, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96111 is Meiss — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Meiss-Waca-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, severe ly 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 96111; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Floriston, CA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights267nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,206base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation22.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall98 inper year; 85 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: Boca, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Boca, CA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Kings Beach, CA · 11 mi

Incline Village, NV · 11 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96111

What planting zone is ZIP code 96111?

ZIP code 96111 (Floriston, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Floriston, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96111 is May 9; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Verdi 2w station.

When is the first frost in Floriston, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96111 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96111?

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

How much rain and snow does 96111 get?

About 22.5 inches of precipitation a year and 98 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boca station).

How hot do summers get in Floriston, CA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96111 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Meiss at the center of ZIP 96111: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Floriston, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96111 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 37 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Floriston, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96111 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 96111 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96111 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.