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

Planting zone for 96148 — Tahoe Vista, CA

ZIP code 96148 (Tahoe Vista, Placer County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 96148 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 17
First frostOct 13
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 Tahoe Vista, 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 Vista, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Incline Village, NV — 6 miles away, elevation 6,355 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 96148

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 96148 came on Mar 16 — 35 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 Tahoe Vista, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96148 is Tahoma — 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: Tahoma-Jorge complex, 2 to 15 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 96148; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tahoe Vista, CA

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights151nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,370base 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
Precipitation29.1 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 41 °F, low 24 °F 41°24° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° MarApril: average high 50 °F, low 31 °F 50°31° AprMay: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° MayJune: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° JunJuly: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.94 in precipitation 4.9 JanFebruary: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 FebMarch: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 1.85 in precipitation 1.9 AprMay: 1.80 in precipitation 1.8 MayJune: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 JulAugust: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 AugSeptember: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 SepOctober: 1.66 in precipitation 1.7 OctNovember: 2.52 in precipitation 2.5 NovDecember: 5.14 in precipitation 5.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Incline Village, NV (6 mi away); precipitation: Truckee-Tahoe Airport, CA (7 mi away). 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.

956049b
Auburn, CA · 1 mi
961436b
Kings Beach, CA · 2 mi
961407a
Carnelian Bay, CA · 2 mi
894027a
Crystal Bay, NV · 3 mi
894527a
Incline Village, NV · 5 mi
894516b
Incline Village, NV · 6 mi
894507a
Incline Village, NV · 6 mi
961457a
Tahoe City, CA · 7 mi

California planting zones →

Questions about 96148

What planting zone is ZIP code 96148?

ZIP code 96148 (Tahoe Vista, 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 Vista, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96148 is May 17; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Incline Village station.

When is the first frost in Tahoe Vista, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96148 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96148?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 96148 get?

About 29.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Truckee-Tahoe Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Tahoe Vista, CA?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96148 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tahoma at the center of ZIP 96148: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

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

Spring leaf-out near 96148 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 35 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tahoe Vista, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96148 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 96148 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 96148 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.