Planting zone for 97030 — Gresham, OR
ZIP code 97030 (Gresham, Multnomah County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 20.
Where ZIP 97030 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9a means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Gresham, 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 Gresham, OR
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 14 and returns around December 15.
From the NOAA station Portland Troutdale Airport, OR — 3 miles away, elevation 30 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 97030
Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 20) 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 97030 came on Feb 7 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).
Feb 182026
Feb 7
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).
Native plants for zone 9a in Oregon
666 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.
Trees 44
Shrubs 133
Wildflowers & perennials 305
Grasses 169
Vines 2
Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Gresham, OR.
Soil in Gresham, OR
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97030 is Multnomah — silt loam, well drained.
Map unit: Multnomah silt 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 97030; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Gresham, OR
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Portland Troutdale Airport, OR (3 mi away); precipitation: Portland Troutdale Airport, OR (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 97030
What planting zone is ZIP code 97030?
ZIP code 97030 (Gresham, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).
When is the last frost in Gresham, OR?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97030 is March 16; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland Troutdale Airport station.
When is the first frost in Gresham, OR?
The median first fall frost near 97030 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 97030?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 97030 get?
About 40.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland Troutdale Airport station).
How hot do summers get in Gresham, OR?
The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 97030 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Multnomah at the center of ZIP 97030: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).
Did spring come early in Gresham, OR in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 97030 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Gresham, OR?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 97030 is 15 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 97030 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97030 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.