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

Planting zone for 96117 — Litchfield, CA

ZIP code 96117 (Litchfield, Lassen County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 96117 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 16

First frostOct 8

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 Litchfield, 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 Litchfield, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Susanville 2sw, CA — 24 miles away, elevation 4,213 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 96117

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 96117 came on Mar 10 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27).

average
Mar 272026
Mar 10

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 Litchfield, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96117 is Longcreek — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Longcreek-Devada-Rubble land complex, 9 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 96117; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Litchfield, CA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,376base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation13 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Susanville 2sw, CA (24 mi away); precipitation: Susanville 2sw, CA (24 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Susanville, CA · 21 mi

961147a

Janesville, CA · 21 mi

961236b

Ravendale, CA · 22 mi

961277a

Susanville, CA · 23 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96117

What planting zone is ZIP code 96117?

ZIP code 96117 (Litchfield, 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 Litchfield, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96117 is May 16; after June 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Susanville 2sw station.

When is the first frost in Litchfield, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96117 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96117?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96117 get?

About 13 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Susanville 2sw station).

How hot do summers get in Litchfield, CA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96117 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Longcreek at the center of ZIP 96117: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Litchfield, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96117 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Litchfield, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96117 is 15 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96117 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96117 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.