Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 97011 — Brightwood, OR

ZIP code 97011 (Brightwood, Clackamas County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 97011 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 27
First frostNov 18
2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Brightwood, OR…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Brightwood, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 18median — 10% chance by Oct 26
Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 14 and returns around December 9.

From the NOAA station Headworks Portland Wtr B, OR — 7 miles away, elevation 748 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 97011

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 23 – Oct 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 4 – Dec 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 27) and first fall frost (Nov 18) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 97011 came on Mar 14 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Brightwood, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97011 is Aschoff — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Aschoff cobbly loam, 5 to 30 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 97011; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brightwood, OR

Summer high78 °Faverage high, August
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights32nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,960base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 43 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation115.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 35 °F 44°35° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 36 °F 47°36° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 37 °F 52°37° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 41 °F 57°41° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 46 °F 64°46° MayJune: average high 69 °F, low 50 °F 69°50° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 45 °F 60°45° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 40 °F 49°40° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 35 °F 43°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″14″16″18″January: 16.22 in precipitation 16.2 JanFebruary: 12.05 in precipitation 12.1 FebMarch: 13.13 in precipitation 13.1 MarApril: 10.73 in precipitation 10.7 AprMay: 7.17 in precipitation 7.2 MayJune: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 JunJuly: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 JulAugust: 1.64 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 SepOctober: 10.46 in precipitation 10.5 OctNovember: 15.71 in precipitation 15.7 NovDecember: 17.17 in precipitation 17.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Headworks Portland Wtr B, OR (7 mi away); precipitation: South Fork Bull Run, OR (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

6 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

970678a
Welches, OR · 5 mi
970558b
Sandy, OR · 6 mi
970497b
Rhododendron, OR · 8 mi
970198b
Corbett, OR · 10 mi
970287a
Government Camp, OR · 13 mi
970228b
Eagle Creek, OR · 14 mi
970098b
Boring, OR · 15 mi
970238a
Estacada, OR · 15 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97011

What planting zone is ZIP code 97011?

ZIP code 97011 (Brightwood, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Brightwood, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97011 is March 27; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Headworks Portland Wtr B station.

When is the first frost in Brightwood, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97011 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97011?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 30 – Feb 13 and set transplants outside around Apr 3 – Apr 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97011 get?

About 115.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, South Fork Bull Run station).

How hot do summers get in Brightwood, OR?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in August, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97011 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Aschoff at the center of ZIP 97011: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Brightwood, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97011 came on Mar 14 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Brightwood, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97011 is 15 h 40 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).