Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 96069 (Oak Run, 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, Redding Muni AP, CA (19 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)261 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 96069 (Oak Run)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 96069, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
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.
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 French Gulch (29 mi), Redding 12 WNW (31 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 French Gulch (29 mi), Redding 12 WNW (31 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 96069 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 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
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 26–Oct 24
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 10–Nov 7
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 10–Nov 7
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 21: 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 31 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 3 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 9 |
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 7 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 21 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 7 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 7 | Nov 9 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 3 | Nov 21 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 27 | Dec 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 96069
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 3) and first fall frost (Nov 21). 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 | Jan 6–20 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 1–22 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 1–22 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 6–20 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 6–20 | Feb 10–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 3–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 17 (transplant) Sep 12–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 20–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 17 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 6–20 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (transplant) Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 6–20 | Feb 3–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (transplant) Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 1–22 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 6–20 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 24 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 27–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 10–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 9–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 10–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Oct 10–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 1–15 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 3–10 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 3–10 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 3–10 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 3–10 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 3–10 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 9–23 | Mar 10–17 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 10–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (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: Redding Muni AP, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00024257), elevation 497 ft, 18.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shasta Dam, CA | 21 mi | Feb 8 | Dec 28 |
| Burney, CA | 23 mi | Jun 3 | Sep 14 |
| Manzanita Lake, CA | 25 mi | Jun 9 | Sep 21 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 125 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 96069
When is the last frost in 96069?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 96069 is March 3. For a more cautious planting date, use April 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 96069?
The average first fall freeze is November 21. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 7.
What hardiness zone is 96069?
ZIP 96069 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 96069 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
96008 Bella Vista 96096 Whitmore 96062 Millville 96084 Round Mountain 96073 Palo Cedro 96088 Shingletown 96065 Montgomery Creek 96003 Redding
Other ZIP codes in Shasta County
96001 96002 96003 96007 96008 96011 96013 96016 96017 96019 96028 96033 96040 96047 96051 96062 96065 96071 96073 96084 96087 96088 96096 All Shasta County frost dates · California frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
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.