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

Planting zone for 96160 — Truckee, CA

ZIP code 96160 (Truckee, Nevada County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 96160 is

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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostJun 9

First frostSep 25

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Truckee, 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 Truckee, 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 — 11 miles away, 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 96160

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 96160 came on Mar 22 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

average
Apr 152026
Mar 22

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 Truckee, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96160 is Inville — cobbly coarse sandy loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly coarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Inville-Riverwash-Aquolls complex, 2 to 5 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 96160; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Truckee, CA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, December

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights229nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,240base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 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

Precipitation30.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall207 inper year; 144 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: Truckee Rs, CA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Truckee Rs, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

961616b

Truckee, CA · 3 mi

961407a

Carnelian Bay, CA · 8 mi

961467a

Olympic Valley, CA · 8 mi

956049b

Auburn, CA · 9 mi

961487a

Tahoe Vista, CA · 9 mi

961436b

Kings Beach, CA · 10 mi

961457a

Tahoe City, CA · 10 mi

961116b

Floriston, CA · 11 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Truckee → · California planting zones →

Questions about 96160

What planting zone is ZIP code 96160?

ZIP code 96160 (Truckee, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Truckee, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 96160 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 Truckee, CA?

The median first fall frost near 96160 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 108 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 96160?

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 96160 get?

About 30.6 inches of precipitation a year and 207 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Truckee Rs station).

How hot do summers get in Truckee, CA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 96160 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Inville at the center of ZIP 96160: cobbly coarse sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Truckee, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 96160 came on Mar 22 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Truckee, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 96160 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.