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

Planting zone for 97018 — Columbia City, OR

ZIP code 97018 (Columbia City, Columbia County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 97018 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 18
First frostNov 7
2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Columbia City, 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 Columbia City, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 21
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Saint Helens Rfd, OR — 4 miles away, elevation 269 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 97018

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 97018 came on Feb 17 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

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 Columbia City, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97018 is Multnomah — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Multnomah loam, 0 to 3 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 97018; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Columbia City, OR

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,198base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation46.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 33 °F 43°33° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 33 °F 47°33° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 36 °F 53°36° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 40 °F 59°40° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 46 °F 67°46° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 45 °F 61°45° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 38 °F 49°38° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 33 °F 42°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.03 in precipitation 7.0 JanFebruary: 5.31 in precipitation 5.3 FebMarch: 4.94 in precipitation 4.9 MarApril: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 MayJune: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 JunJuly: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 JulAugust: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 AugSeptember: 1.71 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 6.79 in precipitation 6.8 NovDecember: 7.77 in precipitation 7.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Saint Helens Rfd, OR (4 mi away); precipitation: Warren 1 Sw, OR (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

970518b
Saint Helens, OR · 5 mi
970538b
Warren, OR · 6 mi
970548b
Deer Island, OR · 7 mi
986748b
Woodland, WA · 8 mi
986428b
Ridgefield, WA · 8 mi
986298b
La Center, WA · 9 mi
970568b
Scappoose, OR · 10 mi
970488b
Rainier, OR · 11 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97018

What planting zone is ZIP code 97018?

ZIP code 97018 (Columbia City, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Columbia City, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97018 is April 18; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saint Helens Rfd station.

When is the first frost in Columbia City, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97018 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97018?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97018 get?

About 46.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Warren 1 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Columbia City, OR?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97018 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Multnomah at the center of ZIP 97018: loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Columbia City, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97018 came on Feb 17 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Columbia City, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97018 is 15 h 44 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).