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

Planting zone for 97438 — Fall Creek, OR

ZIP code 97438 (Fall Creek, Lane County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost November 27.

Where ZIP 97438 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 frostMar 7
First frostNov 27
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 Fall Creek, 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 Fall Creek, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 27median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season263 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 2 and returns around December 16.

From the NOAA station Lookout Pt Dam, OR — 4 miles away, elevation 712 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 97438

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 2 – Oct 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 13 – Dec 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 7) and first fall frost (Nov 27) 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 97438 came on Feb 21 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

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 Fall Creek, OR.

Soil in Fall Creek, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97438 is Cumley — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cumley silty clay loam, 2 to 20 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 97438; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fall Creek, OR

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights27nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,311base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation46 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 37 °F 47°37° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 38 °F 50°38° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 40 °F 54°40° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 43 °F 59°43° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 47 °F 65°47° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 51 °F 71°51° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 47 °F 63°47° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 42 °F 52°42° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 37 °F 46°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″8″January: 6.06 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 6.1 JanFebruary: 4.64 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.6 FebMarch: 5.14 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 2.04 in precipitation 2.0 JunJuly: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 JulAugust: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 AugSeptember: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 SepOctober: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 6.41 in precipitation 6.4 NovDecember: 7.04 in precipitation 7.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lookout Pt Dam, OR (4 mi away); precipitation: Lookout Pt Dam, OR (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

974529a
Lowell, OR · 6 mi
974319a
Dexter, OR · 9 mi
974558b
Pleasant Hill, OR · 12 mi
974898b
Walterville, OR · 12 mi
974788b
Springfield, OR · 13 mi
974928b
Westfir, OR · 13 mi
974888b
Vida, OR · 18 mi
974548b
Marcola, OR · 20 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97438

What planting zone is ZIP code 97438?

ZIP code 97438 (Fall Creek, 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 Fall Creek, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97438 is March 7; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lookout Pt Dam station.

When is the first frost in Fall Creek, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97438 is November 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 263 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97438?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 10 – Jan 24 and set transplants outside around Mar 14 – Mar 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97438 get?

About 46 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lookout Pt Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Fall Creek, OR?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97438 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cumley at the center of ZIP 97438: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fall Creek, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97438 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fall Creek, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97438 is 15 h 29 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).