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

Planting zone for 97205 — Portland, OR

ZIP code 97205 (Portland, Multnomah County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 97205 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 frostFeb 25

First frostDec 1

2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder 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 Portland, 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 Portland, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 10

Growing season280 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 31 and returns around December 20.

From the NOAA station Portland Kgw-Tv, OR — within 1 mile, elevation 161 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 97205

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 25) and first fall frost (Dec 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 97205 came on Feb 7 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

average
Feb 212026
Feb 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 Portland, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97205 is Haplumbrepts — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Haplumbrepts, very steep.

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 97205; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Portland, OR

Summer high81 °Faverage high, August

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights18nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,697base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation44.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 2 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Portland Kgw-Tv, OR (within 1 mile); precipitation: Portland Kgw-Tv, OR (within 1 mile). 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.

All 59 ZIP codes in Portland → · Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97205

What planting zone is ZIP code 97205?

ZIP code 97205 (Portland, 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 Portland, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97205 is February 25; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland Kgw-Tv station.

When is the first frost in Portland, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97205 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 280 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97205?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 31 – Jan 14 and set transplants outside around Mar 4 – Mar 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97205 get?

About 44.1 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland Kgw-Tv station).

How hot do summers get in Portland, OR?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in August, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97205 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Haplumbrepts at the center of ZIP 97205: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Portland, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97205 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Portland, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97205 is 15 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97205 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97205 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.