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

Planting zone for 97384 — Mehama, OR

ZIP code 97384 (Mehama, Marion County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 97384 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 30

First frostOct 22

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 Mehama, 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 Mehama, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Silver Creek Falls, OR — 6 miles away, elevation 1,352 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 97384

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 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 97384 came on Feb 18 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

average
Feb 212026
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.

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 Mehama, OR.

Soil in Mehama, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97384 is Camas — gravelly sandy loam, excessively drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Camas gravelly sandy 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 97384; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mehama, OR

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights85nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,481base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation60.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Silver Creek Falls, OR (6 mi away); precipitation: Lyons 1.6 Ssw, OR (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Silverton, OR · 11 mi

973258b

Aumsville, OR · 12 mi

973468b

Gates, OR · 12 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97384

What planting zone is ZIP code 97384?

ZIP code 97384 (Mehama, 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 Mehama, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97384 is April 30; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Silver Creek Falls station.

When is the first frost in Mehama, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97384 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97384?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97384 get?

About 60.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lyons 1.6 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Mehama, OR?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97384 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Camas at the center of ZIP 97384: gravelly sandy loam, excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Mehama, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97384 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mehama, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97384 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).