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

Planting zone for 96135 — Vinton, CA

ZIP code 96135 (Vinton, Plumas County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 96135 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 21

First frostOct 1

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 Vinton, 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 Vinton, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 9

Growing season130 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Doyle 4 Sse, CA — 13 miles away, elevation 4,390 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 96135

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 96135 came on Mar 11 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
Mar 11

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 Vinton, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96135 is Ormsby — loamy coarse sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoamy coarse sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter0.8%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ormsby loamy coarse sand, 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 96135; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vinton, CA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,283base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation14.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall38 inper year; 25 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Doyle 4 Sse, CA (13 mi away); precipitation: Vinton, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

961296b

Beckwourth, CA · 8 mi

Sierraville, CA · 21 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96135

What planting zone is ZIP code 96135?

ZIP code 96135 (Vinton, 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 Vinton, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96135 is May 21; after June 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Doyle 4 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Vinton, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96135 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 130 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96135?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96135 get?

About 14.7 inches of precipitation a year and 38 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vinton station).

How hot do summers get in Vinton, CA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96135 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ormsby at the center of ZIP 96135: loamy coarse sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Vinton, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96135 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vinton, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96135 is 15 h 00 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.