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

Planting zone for 97109 — Buxton, OR

ZIP code 97109 (Buxton, Washington County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 97109 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 frostMay 8

First frostOct 1

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Buxton, 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 Buxton, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 11

Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Vernonia #2, OR — 9 miles away, elevation 627 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 97109

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 97109 came on Mar 2 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

average
Mar 72026
Mar 2

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 8b in Oregon

661 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Buxton, OR.

Soil in Buxton, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97109 is Melby — 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 groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Melby silt loam, 30 to 60 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 97109; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Buxton, OR

Summer high78 °Faverage high, August

Winter low31 °Faverage low, February

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights99nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,476base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 43 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 40 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Vernonia #2, OR (9 mi away); precipitation: Vernonia #2, OR (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

North Plains, OR · 9 mi

971178b

Gales Creek, OR · 10 mi

971168b

Forest Grove, OR · 11 mi

970568b

Scappoose, OR · 12 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97109

What planting zone is ZIP code 97109?

ZIP code 97109 (Buxton, 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 Buxton, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97109 is May 8; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vernonia #2 station.

When is the first frost in Buxton, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97109 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97109?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97109 get?

About 48 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vernonia #2 station).

How hot do summers get in Buxton, OR?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in August, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97109 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Melby at the center of ZIP 97109: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Buxton, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97109 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Buxton, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97109 is 15 h 43 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97109 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97109 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.