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

Planting zone for 97266 — Portland, OR

ZIP code 97266 (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 22.

Where ZIP 97266 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMar 13
First frostNov 22
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 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 3
Growing season251 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 12 and returns around December 10.

From the NOAA station Portland WFO, OR — 6 miles away, 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 97266

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 27 – Oct 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 8 – Dec 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 22) 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 97266 came on Feb 7 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

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 9a in Oregon

666 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 44

Alaska cedar75 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −22 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigleaf maple60 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −14 °FBishop pine90 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to 17 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 133

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °Fbeaked hazelnut15 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 305

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 169

Alaska brome5 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −18 °FAlaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 2

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Portland, OR.

Soil in Portland, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97266 is Multnomah — silt loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Multnomah complex, 8 to 15 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 97266; 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, December
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,677base 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)
Precipitation46.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 37 °F 46°37° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 37 °F 51°37° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 40 °F 56°40° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 48 °F 69°48° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 53 °F 74°53° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 57 °F 82°57° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 57 °F 82°57° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 46 °F 64°46° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 41 °F 52°41° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 36 °F 46°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 6.99 in precipitation 7.0 JanFebruary: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 FebMarch: 4.90 in precipitation 4.9 MarApril: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 AprMay: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 2.13 in precipitation 2.1 JunJuly: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 JulAugust: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 AugSeptember: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 6.61 in precipitation 6.6 NovDecember: 7.44 in precipitation 7.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Portland WFO, OR (6 mi away); precipitation: Portland 5.2 Ese, OR (2 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.

972069a
Portland, OR · 2 mi
972169a
Portland, OR · 2 mi
972369a
Portland, OR · 2 mi
972159a
Portland, OR · 3 mi
970868b
Happy Valley, OR · 3 mi
972339a
Portland, OR · 3 mi
972229a
Portland, OR · 4 mi
972029a
Portland, OR · 4 mi

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

Questions about 97266

What planting zone is ZIP code 97266?

ZIP code 97266 (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 97266 is March 13; after April 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland WFO station.

When is the first frost in Portland, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97266 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 251 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97266?

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 97266 get?

About 46.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland 5.2 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Portland, OR?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97266 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Multnomah at the center of ZIP 97266: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Portland, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97266 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Portland, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97266 is 15 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97266 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97266 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.