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

Planting zone for 97254 — Portland, OR

ZIP code 97254 (Portland, Multnomah County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 97254 is

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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 13

First frostNov 19

2012 zone8b

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 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 frostMarch 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season247 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 16 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Portland Intl Airport, OR — within 1 mile, elevation 20 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 97254

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 97254 came on Feb 8 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17).

average
Feb 172026
Feb 8

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 97254 is Pilchuck — sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Pilchuck-Urban land complex, 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 97254; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Portland, OR

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights32nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,832base 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)

Precipitation36.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 3 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 Intl Airport, OR (within 1 mile); precipitation: Portland Intl Airport, OR (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 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 97254

What planting zone is ZIP code 97254?

ZIP code 97254 (Portland, 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 Portland, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97254 is March 13; after April 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Portland, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97254 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 247 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97254?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 16 – Jan 30 and set transplants outside around Mar 20 – Apr 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97254 get?

About 36.9 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Portland, OR?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97254 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pilchuck at the center of ZIP 97254: sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Portland, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97254 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Portland, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97254 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97254 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97254 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.