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

Planting zone for 96126 — Sierraville, CA

ZIP code 96126 (Sierraville, Sierra County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 96126 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 12
First frostOct 29
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sierraville, 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 Sierraville, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 10
Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Bowman Dam, CA — 15 miles away, elevation 5,384 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 96126

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 96126 came on Mar 16 — 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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 Sierraville, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96126 is Waca — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter9%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Waca-Windy complex, 30 to 50 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 96126; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sierraville, CA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, December
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights273nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days728base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation27.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 15 °F 40°15° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 15 °F 41°15° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 19 °F 48°19° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 22 °F 53°22° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 28 °F 62°28° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 33 °F 72°33° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 37 °F 80°37° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 35 °F 79°35° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 31 °F 73°31° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 25 °F 61°25° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 20 °F 49°20° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 14 °F 39°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 FebMarch: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 1.77 in precipitation 1.8 AprMay: 1.37 in precipitation 1.4 MayJune: 0.58 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 1.74 in precipitation 1.7 OctNovember: 2.74 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sagehen Creek, CA (12 mi away); precipitation: Sierraville Rs, CA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

961246b
Calpine, CA · 7 mi
961186b
Loyalton, CA · 10 mi
961257a
Sierra City, CA · 11 mi
961067a
Clio, CA · 15 mi
961057a
Chilcoot, CA · 17 mi
961616b
Truckee, CA · 17 mi
957287a
Soda Springs, CA · 18 mi
961226b
Portola, CA · 19 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96126

What planting zone is ZIP code 96126?

ZIP code 96126 (Sierraville, 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 Sierraville, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96126 is May 12; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bowman Dam station.

When is the first frost in Sierraville, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96126 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96126?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96126 get?

About 27.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sierraville Rs station).

How hot do summers get in Sierraville, CA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96126 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Waca at the center of ZIP 96126: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sierraville, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96126 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sierraville, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96126 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.