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

Planting zone for 96113 — Herlong, CA

ZIP code 96113 (Herlong, Lassen County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 96113 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 frostMay 21
First frostOct 1
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 Herlong, 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 Herlong, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 9
Growing season130 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Doyle 4 Sse, CA — 16 miles away, elevation 4,390 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 96113

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18
BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 96113 came on Mar 2 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 Herlong, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96113 is Lieberman — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lieberman fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 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 96113; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Herlong, CA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,283base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 02 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 18 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation11.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall17 inper year; 4 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 24 °F 43°24° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 34 °F 62°34° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 40 °F 70°40° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 45 °F 79°45° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 51 °F 88°51° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 49 °F 87°49° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 44 °F 80°44° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 28 °F 52°28° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 2.06 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 2.1❄4 JanFebruary: 1.49 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 1.5❄3 FebMarch: 1.33 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 1.3❄2 MarApril: 0.69 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 0.7❄1 AprMay: 0.65 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.7 MayJune: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.22 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 0.77 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 1.08 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 1.1❄2 NovDecember: 2.01 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 2.0❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Doyle 4 Sse, CA (16 mi away); precipitation: Doyle, CA (11 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.

961367a
Wendel, CA · 11 mi
961217a
Milford, CA · 12 mi
961097a
Doyle, CA · 14 mi
961287a
Standish, CA · 18 mi
961147a
Janesville, CA · 19 mi
961356b
Vinton, CA · 26 mi
961296b
Beckwourth, CA · 27 mi
895087a
Reno, NV · 31 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96113

What planting zone is ZIP code 96113?

ZIP code 96113 (Herlong, 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 Herlong, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96113 is May 21; after June 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Doyle 4 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Herlong, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96113 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 130 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96113?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96113 get?

About 11.4 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Doyle station).

How hot do summers get in Herlong, CA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96113 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lieberman at the center of ZIP 96113: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Herlong, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96113 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Herlong, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96113 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).