Fall in zone 7aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 96020 (Warner Valley, CA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Chester, CA (1 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)124 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7a0 to 5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 49°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Eagle Lake (35 mi), Ash Valley (60 mi).
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Eagle Lake (35 mi), Ash Valley (60 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 96020 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically March to April).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Pacific Northwest (west of the Cascades). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Perennial ryegrass (cool-season): Early fall: September; Late fall: October–November; Overseeded Bermuda: Light feeding once the winter rye is established, if needed. Avoid: Summer feeding.
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 7 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 28 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 13 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 28 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 14 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 15 | Sep 12 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 28 | Sep 28 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 2 | Oct 18 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 96020
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 28) and first fall frost (Sep 28). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 2–16 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 2–16 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 2–16 | May 7–28 (transplant) Apr 30–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 16–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 2–16 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) Jun 22–Jul 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 2–16 | Apr 30–May 28 (transplant) Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) Jun 22–Jul 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 14–28 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 8–29 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 2–16 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 30–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 16–30 | May 14–Jun 4 (transplant) May 14–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 7–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 23–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 30–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 5–19 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 8–22 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 18–Jul 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 18–Jul 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) Jun 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) Jun 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 16–30 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) Jun 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 5–19 | Jun 4–11 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 16–30 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 14–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 14–28 (transplant) May 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Chester, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00041700), elevation 4,530 ft, 1.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Dam, CA | 13 mi | May 18 | Oct 8 |
| Mineral, CA | 19 mi | Jun 10 | Sep 13 |
| Manzanita Lake, CA | 23 mi | Jun 9 | Sep 21 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 23 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 96020
When is the last frost in 96020?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 96020 is May 28. For a more cautious planting date, use June 13, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 96020?
The average first fall freeze is September 28. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 12.
What hardiness zone is 96020?
ZIP 96020 is in USDA zone 7a (0 to 5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 96020 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
95923 Almanor 96137 Westwood 96061 Mineral 96063 Mineral 95915 Tobin 95984 Twain 95947 Greenville 95934 Crescent Mills
Other ZIP codes in Plumas County
95915 95923 95934 95947 95956 95971 95981 95983 95984 96103 96105 96106 96122 96129 96135 All Plumas County frost dates · California frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.