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

Planting zone for 96134 — Tulelake, CA

ZIP code 96134 (Tulelake, Siskiyou County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost September 14.

Where ZIP 96134 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 frostJun 6
First frostSep 14
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 Tulelake, 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 Tulelake, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 14median — 10% chance by Aug 30
Growing season97 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 16 and returns around September 27.

From the NOAA station Tulelake, CA — 9 miles away, elevation 4,039 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 96134

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 9 – May 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 16 – May 30
LettuceSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 13 – Jun 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 20 – Jul 4
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 13 – Jun 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 13 – Jun 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 13 – Jun 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 20 – Aug 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 31 – Oct 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 6) and first fall frost (Sep 14) 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 96134 came on Mar 17 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5).

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 Tulelake, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96134 is Searles variant — very stony loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Searles variant very stony loam, 0 to 5 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 96134; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tulelake, CA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, December
Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights182nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,779base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation10.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall23 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 21 °F 42°21° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 23 °F 47°23° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 26 °F 53°26° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 30 °F 59°30° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 37 °F 69°37° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 42 °F 77°42° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 47 °F 86°47° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 44 °F 86°44° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 38 °F 79°38° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 30 °F 66°30° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 25 °F 50°25° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 20 °F 41°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.32 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 1.3❄6 JanFebruary: 1.14 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 1.1❄4 FebMarch: 1.20 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 1.2❄3 MarApril: 0.99 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 1.0❄2 AprMay: 1.11 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.1 MayJune: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.21 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.25 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 SepOctober: 0.72 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.7 OctNovember: 1.14 in precipitation, 3 in snowfall 1.1❄3 NovDecember: 1.45 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 1.4❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tulelake, CA (9 mi away); precipitation: Tulelake, CA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

976326b
Malin, OR · 14 mi
976336b
Merrill, OR · 15 mi
976036b
Klamath Falls, OR · 23 mi
960586b
Macdoel, CA · 25 mi
976236b
Bonanza, OR · 26 mi
976346b
Midland, OR · 28 mi
960236b
Dorris, CA · 28 mi
976026b
Klamath Falls, OR · 32 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96134

What planting zone is ZIP code 96134?

ZIP code 96134 (Tulelake, 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 Tulelake, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96134 is June 6; after June 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tulelake station.

When is the first frost in Tulelake, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96134 is September 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 97 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96134?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 11 – Apr 25 and set transplants outside around Jun 13 – Jun 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96134 get?

About 10.7 inches of precipitation a year and 23 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tulelake station).

How hot do summers get in Tulelake, CA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96134 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Searles variant at the center of ZIP 96134: very stony loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Tulelake, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96134 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tulelake, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96134 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).