Frost dates for ZIP 96048 (Junction City, 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, Weaverville, CA (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)159 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Fall in zone 8b
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 18, 8:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of French Gulch (25 mi), Redding 12 WNW (25 mi).
4-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 8:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of French Gulch (25 mi), Redding 12 WNW (25 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 96048 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 73°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 Jun 18 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
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 16 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 3 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 27 |
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 28 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 11 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 1 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 30 | Sep 28 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 3 | Oct 11 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
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 96048
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 11). 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 8–22 | May 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 22–Mar 8 | May 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 22–Mar 8 | May 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 8–22 | May 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 8–22 | Apr 12–May 3 (transplant) Apr 5–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (transplant) Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 22–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 8–22 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) Jul 5–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 8–22 | Apr 5–May 3 (transplant) Apr 5–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) Jul 5–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 8–22 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 12 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 8–22 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 5–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 22–Apr 5 | Apr 19–May 10 (transplant) Apr 19–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 5–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 12–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 29–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 12–May 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 8–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 8–22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 22–Apr 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 8–22 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 5 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 24–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 5–12 | May 10–24 (transplant) May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 5–12 | May 10–24 (transplant) May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 5–12 | May 10–24 (transplant) May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 5–12 | May 17–31 (transplant) May 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 5–12 | May 17–31 (transplant) May 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 22–Apr 5 | May 17–31 (transplant) May 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 8–22 | May 10–17 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 22–Apr 5 | May 10–24 (transplant) May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 19–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) Apr 12–May 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (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: Weaverville, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00049490), elevation 2,058 ft, 7.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bar 4 E, CA | 11 mi | Apr 16 | Oct 31 |
| Trinity Rvr Hatchery, CA | 14 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 22 |
| Cecilville, CA | 22 mi | Apr 27 | Oct 21 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 18 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 96048
When is the last frost in 96048?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 96048 is May 3. For a more cautious planting date, use May 27, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 96048?
The average first fall freeze is October 11. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 28.
What hardiness zone is 96048?
ZIP 96048 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 96048 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
96093 Weaverville 96010 96052 Lewiston 96091 Coffee Creek 96024 Douglas City 95527 Burnt Ranch 96033 French Gulch 96041 Hayfork
Other ZIP codes in Trinity County
95527 95552 95563 95595 96010 96024 96041 96046 96052 96076 96091 96093 All Trinity County frost dates · California frost dates
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