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

Planting zone for 96120 — Markleeville, CA

ZIP code 96120 (Markleeville, Alpine County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 96120 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 30
First frostSep 26
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 Markleeville, 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 Markleeville, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 9
Growing season119 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Minden, NV — 16 miles away, elevation 4,708 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 96120

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 9 – May 23
LettuceSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 13 – Jun 27
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 30) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 96120 came on Apr 16 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 8).

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 Markleeville, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96120 is Florand — very gravelly peaty sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly peaty sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter14%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Florand-Lostridge-Fishsnooze association.

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 96120; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Markleeville, CA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights222nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,093base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation42.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 18 °F 43°18° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 19 °F 43°19° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 24 °F 48°24° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 28 °F 53°28° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 33 °F 62°33° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 38 °F 72°38° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 43 °F 80°43° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 41 °F 80°41° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 35 °F 73°35° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 29 °F 62°29° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 23 °F 51°23° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 18 °F 43°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.89 in precipitation 7.9 JanFebruary: 6.97 in precipitation 7.0 FebMarch: 5.89 in precipitation 5.9 MarApril: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 2.03 in precipitation 2.0 MayJune: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 JulAugust: 0.33 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.92 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 2.46 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 7.32 in precipitation 7.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: South Lake Tahoe Airport, CA (12 mi away); precipitation: Burnside Lake, 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.

956466b
Kirkwood, CA · 11 mi
894606b
Gardnerville, NV · 12 mi
961557a
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 12 mi
961546b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 12 mi
961586b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 13 mi
961516b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 13 mi
957217a
Echo Lake, CA · 13 mi
961506b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 14 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96120

What planting zone is ZIP code 96120?

ZIP code 96120 (Markleeville, 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 Markleeville, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96120 is May 30; after June 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Minden station.

When is the first frost in Markleeville, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96120 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 119 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96120?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 4 – Apr 18 and set transplants outside around Jun 6 – Jun 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96120 get?

About 42.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burnside Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Markleeville, CA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96120 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Florand at the center of ZIP 96120: very gravelly peaty sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Markleeville, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96120 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Markleeville, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96120 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 96120 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96120 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.