Frost dates for ZIP 96028 (Fall River Mills, 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, Hat Creek, CA (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 1950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)113 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7b5 to 10°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
59°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 65°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Ash Valley (40 mi), Eagle Lake (47 mi), French Gulch (59 mi).
4-inch depth
59°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 64°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Ash Valley (40 mi), Eagle Lake (47 mi), French Gulch (59 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 96028 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 59°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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 8 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 29 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 23 |
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 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 19 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 4 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | n/a | n/a |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 29 | Sep 19 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 6 | Oct 4 |
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 96028
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 29) and first fall frost (Sep 19). 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 3–17 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 3–17 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 3–17 | May 8–29 (transplant) May 1–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) Jul 11–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 17–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 3–17 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) Jun 13–Jul 11 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 3–17 | May 1–29 (transplant) May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) Jun 13–Jul 11 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 13–Jul 11 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 13–Jul 11 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 15–29 (transplant) | Jun 13–Jul 11 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | May 30–Jun 20 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 3–17 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 17–May 1 | May 15–Jun 5 (transplant) May 15–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 8–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jun 27–Jul 11 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 24–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jun 27–Jul 11 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 6–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 19–Jul 3 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 19–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 1–8 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 1–8 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 1–8 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 1–8 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 1–8 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 17–May 1 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 6–20 | Jun 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 17–May 1 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 15–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 15–29 (transplant) May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 11–Aug 8 (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: Hat Creek, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00043824), elevation 3,015 ft, 6.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burney, CA | 14 mi | Jun 3 | Sep 14 |
| Adin Rs, CA | 30 mi | May 28 | Sep 29 |
| Manzanita Lake, CA | 33 mi | Jun 9 | Sep 21 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 12 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 96028
When is the last frost in 96028?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 96028 is May 29. For a more cautious planting date, use June 23, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 96028?
The average first fall freeze is September 19. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 5.
What hardiness zone is 96028?
ZIP 96028 is in USDA zone 7b (5 to 10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 96028 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
96016 Cassel 96056 Little Valley 96013 Burney 96068 Nubieber 96040 Hat Creek 96071 Old Station 96011 Big Bend 96009 Bieber
Other ZIP codes in Shasta County
96001 96002 96003 96007 96008 96011 96013 96016 96017 96019 96033 96040 96047 96051 96062 96065 96069 96071 96073 96084 96087 96088 96096 All Shasta County frost dates · California frost dates
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