Fall in zone 7aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 96061 (Mineral, 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, Mineral, CA (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJun 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)96 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
50°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 47°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Eagle Lake (44 mi).
4-inch depth
50°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 51°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Eagle Lake (44 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 96061 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 50°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 24 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jun 10 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 28 |
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) | Aug 22 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 13 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 3 |
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) | Jun 10 | Sep 13 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 19 | Oct 7 |
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 96061
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jun 10) and first fall frost (Sep 13). 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 15–29 | Jun 17–Jul 1 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Apr 1–15 | Jun 24–Jul 8 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Apr 1–15 | Jun 24–Jul 8 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 15–29 | Jun 17–Jul 1 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 15–29 | May 20–Jun 10 (transplant) May 13–Jun 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) Jul 5–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 29–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 15–29 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) Jun 7–Jul 5 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 15–29 | May 13–Jun 10 (transplant) May 13–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Broccoli | Apr 1–15 | May 13–27 (transplant) | Jun 7–Jul 5 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Apr 1–15 | May 13–27 (transplant) | Jun 7–Jul 5 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Apr 1–15 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) | – |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 18–Apr 1 | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 15–29 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 13–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 13–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 29–May 13 | May 27–Jun 17 (transplant) May 27–Jun 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 13–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 20–Jun 17 (sow outdoors) | Jun 21–Jul 5 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | May 6–Jun 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 13–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 20–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 15–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Jun 21–Jul 5 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 18–Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 29–May 27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 18–Apr 1 | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet potato | – | Jul 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 17–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 17–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 17–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 24–Jul 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jul 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 13–20 | Jun 17–Jul 1 (transplant) Jun 17–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 13–20 | Jun 17–Jul 1 (transplant) Jun 17–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 13–20 | Jun 17–Jul 1 (transplant) Jun 17–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 17–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 13–20 | Jun 24–Jul 8 (transplant) Jun 24–Jul 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 13–20 | Jun 24–Jul 8 (transplant) Jun 24–Jul 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 29–May 13 | Jun 24–Jul 8 (transplant) Jun 24–Jul 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 18–Apr 1 | Jun 17–24 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 29–May 13 | Jun 17–Jul 1 (transplant) Jun 17–Jul 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 27–Jun 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Apr 1–15 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 20–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jun 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jun 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (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: Mineral, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00045679), elevation 4,875 ft, 6.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester, CA | 13 mi | May 28 | Sep 28 |
| Manzanita Lake, CA | 14 mi | Jun 9 | Sep 21 |
| Canyon Dam, CA | 24 mi | May 18 | Oct 8 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 23 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 96061
When is the last frost in 96061?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 96061 is June 10. For a more cautious planting date, use June 28, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 96061?
The average first fall freeze is September 13. In 1 year in 10 it comes by August 22.
What hardiness zone is 96061?
ZIP 96061 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 96061 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
96063 Mineral 96020 Warner Valley 96137 Westwood 96059 Manton 96075 95923 Almanor 96088 Shingletown 96071 Old Station
Other ZIP codes in Tehama County
96021 96022 96029 96035 96055 96059 96063 96074 96075 96078 96080 96090 96092 All Tehama 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.