Frost dates for ZIP 96135 (Plumas County, 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, Doyle 4 SSE, CA (13 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)130 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°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
50°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 56°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Eagle Lake (62 mi).
4-inch depth
50°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 56°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Eagle Lake (62 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 96135 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) | Apr 30 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 21 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 11 |
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 9 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 1 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 19 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 10 | Sep 12 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 21 | Oct 1 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 2 | Oct 17 |
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 96135
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Oct 1). 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 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 12–26 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 12–26 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 26–Apr 9 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 26–Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 21 (transplant) Apr 23–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 26–Apr 9 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) Jun 25–Jul 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 26–Apr 9 | Apr 23–May 21 (transplant) Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) Jun 25–Jul 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 12–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 12–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12–26 | May 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jun 11–Jul 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 26–Apr 9 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 23–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 9–23 | May 7–28 (transplant) May 7–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 16–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 23–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 30–May 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 9–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jun 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 11–Jul 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 23–30 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 23–30 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 23–30 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 23–30 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 23–30 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 9–23 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 26–Mar 12 | May 28–Jun 4 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 9–23 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 7–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 12–26 | May 7–21 (transplant) Apr 30–May 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (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: Doyle 4 SSE, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00042506), elevation 4,390 ft, 12.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portola, CA | 14 mi | Jun 11 | Sep 10 |
| Stead, NV | 22 mi | May 8 | Oct 12 |
| Verdi 2W, CA | 22 mi | May 9 | Oct 17 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 34 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 96135
When is the last frost in 96135?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 96135 is May 21. For a more cautious planting date, use June 11, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 96135?
The average first fall freeze is October 1. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 9.
What hardiness zone is 96135?
ZIP 96135 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 96135 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
96129 96105 Chilcoot-Vinton 96118 Sierra Brooks 96109 Doyle 96122 Beckwourth 89508 Reno 96124 Sattley 96106 Gold Mountain
Other ZIP codes in Plumas County
95915 95923 95934 95947 95956 95971 95981 95983 95984 96020 96103 96105 96106 96122 96129 All Plumas County frost dates · California frost dates
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