Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 96090 (Tehama, 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, Red Bluff Muni AP, CA (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)281 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°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
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Redding 12 WNW (51 mi), French Gulch (59 mi).
4-inch depth
74°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 75°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Redding 12 WNW (51 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 96090 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 74°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: California coastal and valleys. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Apr 9 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 20–Oct 18
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 4–25
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 4–25
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 4–Nov 1
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 15
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 15
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 20–Oct 18
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 29: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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) | Jan 17 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 22 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 30 |
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) | Nov 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 29 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 18 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 30 | Nov 15 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 22 | Nov 29 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 13 | Dec 15 |
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 96090
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 22) and first fall frost (Nov 29). 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 | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 14–28 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 9–30 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 14–28 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 9–30 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 1–22 (transplant) Jan 25–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–25 (transplant) Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 11–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–25 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) Jan 25–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (transplant) Aug 23–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Jan 25–Feb 22 (transplant) Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (transplant) Aug 23–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 14–28 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 14–28 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 14–28 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Aug 9–30 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) Jan 25–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 25–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 11–25 | Feb 8–Mar 1 (transplant) Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 1–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 18–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 25–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 28–Jan 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Jan 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 11–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 18–Nov 15 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 11–25 (transplant) | Oct 18–Nov 15 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Aug 9–23 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 15–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 11–25 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 30–Dec 14 | Mar 1–8 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 11–25 | Mar 1–15 (transplant) Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 14–28 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) Feb 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 25–Feb 8 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (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: Red Bluff Muni AP, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00024216), elevation 353 ft, 12.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orland, CA | 19 mi | Feb 25 | Dec 2 |
| Chico Univ Farm, CA | 27 mi | Mar 4 | Nov 17 |
| De Sabla, CA | 29 mi | Apr 17 | Nov 11 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 57 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 96090
When is the last frost in 96090?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 96090 is February 22. For a more cautious planting date, use March 30, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 96090?
The average first fall freeze is November 29. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 12.
What hardiness zone is 96090?
ZIP 96090 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 96090 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
96035 Proberta 96078 Proberta 96092 Vina 96055 Los Molinos 96021 Rancho Tehama Reserve 95973 Cohasset 96029 Flournoy 96080 Red Bluff
Other ZIP codes in Tehama County
96021 96022 96029 96035 96055 96059 96061 96063 96074 96075 96078 96080 96092 All Tehama County frost dates · California frost dates
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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.