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

Planting zone for 96142 — Tahoma, CA

ZIP code 96142 (Tahoma, El Dorado County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 4 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 96142 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 4
First frostOct 3
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 Tahoma, 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 Tahoma, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season120 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 15 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Tahoma, CA — 4 miles away, elevation 6,316 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 96142

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 14 – May 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 14 – May 28
LettuceSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 18 – Jul 2
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 4) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 96142 came on Mar 19 — 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 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 Tahoma, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96142 is Ubaj — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ubaj sandy loam, 0 to 9 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 96142; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tahoma, CA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, December
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights200nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,108base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation41.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 22 °F 37°22° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° MarApril: average high 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° AprMay: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° MayJune: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 46 °F 77°46° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 46 °F 76°46° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 41 °F 69°41° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 21 °F 38°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.13 in precipitation 7.1 JanFebruary: 6.55 in precipitation 6.5 FebMarch: 6.33 in precipitation 6.3 MarApril: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 0.84 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.39 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 OctNovember: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 7.11 in precipitation 7.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tahoma, CA (4 mi away); precipitation: Rubicon #2, CA (within 1 mile). 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.

961526b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 7 mi
961576b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 8 mi
961566b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 9 mi
961516b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 9 mi
961417a
Homewood, CA · 9 mi
961506b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 9 mi
961586b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 9 mi
961546b
South Lake Tahoe, CA · 10 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96142

What planting zone is ZIP code 96142?

ZIP code 96142 (Tahoma, 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 Tahoma, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96142 is June 4; after June 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tahoma station.

When is the first frost in Tahoma, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96142 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 120 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96142?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 9 – Apr 23 and set transplants outside around Jun 11 – Jun 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96142 get?

About 41.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rubicon #2 station).

How hot do summers get in Tahoma, CA?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96142 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ubaj at the center of ZIP 96142: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

Did spring come early in Tahoma, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96142 came on Mar 19 in 2026, 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tahoma, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96142 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.