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

Planting zone for 96128 — Standish, CA

ZIP code 96128 (Standish, Lassen County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 96128 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 16
First frostOct 8
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 Standish, 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 Standish, 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 — 14 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 96128

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 96128 came on Mar 8 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20).

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 Standish, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96128 is Standish — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Standish 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 96128; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Standish, 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 03 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation24.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 22 °F 43°22° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 30 °F 54°30° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 34 °F 61°34° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 47 °F 79°47° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 53 °F 88°53° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 52 °F 87°52° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 45 °F 80°45° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 28 °F 52°28° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 22 °F 43°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 AprMay: 1.93 in precipitation 1.9 MayJune: 0.71 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.20 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.21 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 1.55 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 2.33 in precipitation 2.3 NovDecember: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Susanville 2sw, CA (14 mi away); precipitation: Susanville 3.5 Ssw, CA (14 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.

961147a
Janesville, CA · 6 mi
961217a
Milford, CA · 13 mi
961277a
Susanville, CA · 14 mi
961176b
Litchfield, CA · 16 mi
961367a
Wendel, CA · 17 mi
961137a
Herlong, CA · 18 mi
961307a
Susanville, CA · 18 mi
959477b
Greenville, CA · 27 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96128

What planting zone is ZIP code 96128?

ZIP code 96128 (Standish, 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 Standish, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96128 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 Standish, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96128 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96128?

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 96128 get?

About 24.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Susanville 3.5 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Standish, 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 96128 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Standish at the center of ZIP 96128: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Standish, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96128 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Standish, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96128 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).