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

Planting zone for 96136 — Wendel, CA

ZIP code 96136 (Wendel, Lassen County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 96136 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 10
First frostOct 1
2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Wendel, 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 Wendel, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 15
Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Smoke Creek Espil, NV — 25 miles away, elevation 3,852 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 96136

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
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 10) 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 96136 came on Mar 6 — 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

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 Wendel, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96136 is Devada — very stony loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Devada-Glean-Sumine association, 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 96136; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wendel, CA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, December
Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights170nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,914base 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)
Precipitation11.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall17 inper year; 4 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 19 °F 45°19° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 23 °F 50°23° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 28 °F 58°28° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 33 °F 64°33° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 41 °F 74°41° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 50 °F 85°50° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 56 °F 95°56° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 52 °F 93°52° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 43 °F 85°43° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 32 °F 71°32° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 23 °F 55°23° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 16 °F 44°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 2.06 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 2.1❄4 JanFebruary: 1.49 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 1.5❄3 FebMarch: 1.33 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 1.3❄2 MarApril: 0.69 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 0.7❄1 AprMay: 0.65 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.7 MayJune: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.22 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 0.77 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 1.08 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 1.1❄2 NovDecember: 2.01 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 2.0❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Smoke Creek Espil, NV (25 mi away); precipitation: Doyle, CA (22 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

961137a
Herlong, CA · 11 mi
961176b
Litchfield, CA · 15 mi
961287a
Standish, CA · 17 mi
961217a
Milford, CA · 20 mi
961147a
Janesville, CA · 22 mi
961097a
Doyle, CA · 24 mi
961277a
Susanville, CA · 30 mi
961307a
Susanville, CA · 32 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96136

What planting zone is ZIP code 96136?

ZIP code 96136 (Wendel, 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 Wendel, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96136 is May 10; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Smoke Creek Espil station.

When is the first frost in Wendel, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96136 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 141 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96136?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96136 get?

About 11.4 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Doyle station).

How hot do summers get in Wendel, CA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 69 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96136 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Devada at the center of ZIP 96136: very stony loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Wendel, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96136 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wendel, CA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 96136 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 96136 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96136 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.