Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 97050 — Rufus, OR

ZIP code 97050 (Rufus, Sherman County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 97050 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 frostMay 19

First frostSep 25

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Rufus, 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 Rufus, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 8

Growing season126 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Goldendale, WA — 10 miles away, elevation 1,641 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 97050

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16

BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Sep 25) 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 97050 came on Mar 7 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
Mar 7

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).

Native plants for zone 8a in Oregon

654 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Rufus, OR.

Soil in Rufus, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97050 is Wato — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Wato very fine sandy loam, 3 to 7 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 97050; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rufus, OR

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights144nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,953base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation12.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall6 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Goldendale, WA (10 mi away); precipitation: Wasco, OR (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Centerville, WA · 11 mi

986207a

Goldendale, WA · 14 mi

970397a

Moro, OR · 16 mi

986178a

Dallesport, WA · 17 mi

986287b

Klickitat, WA · 18 mi

970587b

The Dalles, OR · 20 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97050

What planting zone is ZIP code 97050?

ZIP code 97050 (Rufus, 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 Rufus, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97050 is May 19; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Goldendale station.

When is the first frost in Rufus, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97050 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 126 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97050?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97050 get?

About 12.5 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wasco station).

How hot do summers get in Rufus, OR?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97050 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wato at the center of ZIP 97050: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Rufus, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97050 came on Mar 7 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rufus, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97050 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97050 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97050 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.