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

Planting zone for 97144 — Timber, OR

ZIP code 97144 (Timber, 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 97144 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 Timber, 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 Timber, 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 — 10 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 97144

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 97144 came on Mar 3 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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).

Soil in Timber, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97144 is Udifluvents — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Udifluvents, nearly level.

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 97144; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Timber, 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

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 32 °F 46°32° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 47 °F 77°47° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 47 °F 78°47° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 43 °F 73°43° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 34 °F 51°34° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 31 °F 44°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″January: 6.94 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 6.9 JanFebruary: 5.34 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 5.3❄1 FebMarch: 5.30 in precipitation 5.3 MarApril: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 2.39 in precipitation 2.4 MayJune: 1.44 in precipitation 1.4 JunJuly: 0.39 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 AugSeptember: 1.79 in precipitation 1.8 SepOctober: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 7.70 in precipitation 7.7 NovDecember: 8.33 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 8.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Vernonia #2, OR (10 mi away); precipitation: Vernonia #2, OR (10 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.

971098b
Buxton, OR · 5 mi
971258b
Manning, OR · 7 mi
971178b
Gales Creek, OR · 8 mi
970648a
Vernonia, OR · 9 mi
971068b
Banks, OR · 10 mi
971168b
Forest Grove, OR · 13 mi
971338b
North Plains, OR · 14 mi
971198b
Gaston, OR · 19 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97144

What planting zone is ZIP code 97144?

ZIP code 97144 (Timber, 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 Timber, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97144 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 Timber, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97144 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97144?

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 97144 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 Timber, 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 97144 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udifluvents at the center of ZIP 97144: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Timber, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97144 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Timber, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97144 is 15 h 43 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97144 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97144 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.