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

Planting zone for 97303 — Salem, OR

ZIP code 97303 (Salem, Marion County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 97303 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 frostApr 3
First frostNov 1
2012 zone8b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Salem, 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 Salem, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season212 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Salem Mcnary Field, OR — 9 miles away, elevation 207 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 97303

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 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 97303 came on Feb 21 — 3 days later 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 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.

Trees 43

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 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FBrewer spruce100 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Shrubs 132

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 166

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 Salem, OR.

Soil in Salem, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97303 is Amity — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Amity silt loam.

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 97303; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Salem, OR

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, December
Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights49nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,568base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 37 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 46 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation41.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 36 °F 48°36° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 36 °F 52°36° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 38 °F 57°38° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 55 °F 84°55° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 55 °F 84°55° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 51 °F 78°51° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 39 °F 54°39° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 35 °F 47°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 6.24 in precipitation 6.2 JanFebruary: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 FebMarch: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 MayJune: 1.39 in precipitation 1.4 JunJuly: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 SepOctober: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 6.24 in precipitation 6.2 NovDecember: 7.02 in precipitation 7.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Salem Mcnary Field, OR (9 mi away); precipitation: Keizer 1.4 Ssw, OR (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

973078b
Keizer, OR · 3 mi
973148b
Salem, OR · 5 mi
973048b
Salem, OR · 5 mi
973058b
Salem, OR · 5 mi
973018b
Salem, OR · 5 mi
973118b
Salem, OR · 6 mi
973088b
Salem, OR · 6 mi
973098b
Salem, OR · 6 mi

All 12 ZIP codes in Salem → · Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97303

What planting zone is ZIP code 97303?

ZIP code 97303 (Salem, 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 Salem, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97303 is April 3; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salem Mcnary Field station.

When is the first frost in Salem, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97303 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 212 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97303?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97303 get?

About 41.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Keizer 1.4 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Salem, OR?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97303 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Amity at the center of ZIP 97303: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Salem, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97303 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Salem, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97303 is 15 h 37 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).