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

Planting zone for 96145 — Tahoe City, CA

ZIP code 96145 (Tahoe City, Placer County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 96145 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 frostJun 9
First frostSep 25
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 Tahoe City, 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 Tahoe City, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 9
Growing season108 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 24 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Tahoe City, CA — within 1 mile, elevation 6,231 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 96145

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
LettuceSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 9) and first fall frost (Sep 25) 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 96145 came on Mar 19 — 33 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

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 Tahoe City, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96145 is Jorge — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Jorge-Tahoma complex, 15 to 30 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 96145; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tahoe City, CA

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights198nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,167base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation37 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 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 21 °F 41°21° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° MarApril: average high 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° AprMay: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° MayJune: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 46 °F 78°46° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 45 °F 77°45° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 41 °F 70°41° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 6.67 in precipitation 6.7 JanFebruary: 6.23 in precipitation 6.2 FebMarch: 5.50 in precipitation 5.5 MarApril: 2.56 in precipitation 2.6 AprMay: 1.80 in precipitation 1.8 MayJune: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.35 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 2.12 in precipitation 2.1 OctNovember: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 6.76 in precipitation 6.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tahoe City, CA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Tahoe City Cross, 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.

961407a
Carnelian Bay, CA · 5 mi
961467a
Olympic Valley, CA · 6 mi
956049b
Auburn, CA · 6 mi
961417a
Homewood, CA · 6 mi
961487a
Tahoe Vista, CA · 7 mi
961436b
Kings Beach, CA · 9 mi
894027a
Crystal Bay, NV · 9 mi
961606a
Truckee, CA · 10 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96145

What planting zone is ZIP code 96145?

ZIP code 96145 (Tahoe City, 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 Tahoe City, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96145 is June 9; after June 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tahoe City station.

When is the first frost in Tahoe City, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96145 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 108 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96145?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 14 – Apr 28 and set transplants outside around Jun 16 – Jun 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96145 get?

About 37 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tahoe City Cross station).

How hot do summers get in Tahoe City, CA?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96145 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Jorge at the center of ZIP 96145: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Tahoe City, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96145 came on Mar 19 in 2026, 33 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tahoe City, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96145 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.