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

Planting zone for 97441 — Gardiner, OR

ZIP code 97441 (Gardiner, Douglas County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 24.

Where ZIP 97441 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 25

First frostNov 24

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gardiner, 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 Gardiner, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 24median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season249 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 17 and returns around December 26.

From the NOAA station Winchester Bay Coast Grd, OR — 5 miles away, elevation 7 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 97441

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 29 – Oct 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 10 – Dec 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 24) 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 97441 came on Feb 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

average
Feb 32026
Feb 1

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.

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 Gardiner, OR.

Soil in Gardiner, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97441 is Salander — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Salander silt loam, 12 to 30 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 97441; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gardiner, OR

Summer high71 °Faverage high, September

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,733base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 55 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation68.1 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: Winchester Bay Coast Grd, OR (5 mi away); precipitation: Honeyman Sp, OR (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

974939a

Westlake, OR · 13 mi

974679a

Reedsport, OR · 13 mi

974739a

Scottsburg, OR · 13 mi

974499a

Lakeside, OR · 14 mi

974599a

North Bend, OR · 19 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97441

What planting zone is ZIP code 97441?

ZIP code 97441 (Gardiner, 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 Gardiner, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97441 is March 25; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winchester Bay Coast Grd station.

When is the first frost in Gardiner, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97441 is November 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 249 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97441?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97441 get?

About 68.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Honeyman Sp station).

How hot do summers get in Gardiner, OR?

The average high peaks at 71 °F in September, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97441 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Salander at the center of ZIP 97441: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gardiner, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97441 came on Feb 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gardiner, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97441 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).