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

Planting zone for 97452 — Lowell, OR

ZIP code 97452 (Lowell, Lane County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost November 27.

Where ZIP 97452 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 7

First frostNov 27

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 Lowell, 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 Lowell, 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 — 2 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 97452

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 97452 came on Feb 13 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

average
Feb 212026
Feb 13

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 Lowell, OR.

Soil in Lowell, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97452 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 97452; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lowell, 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 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 54 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

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lookout Pt Dam, OR (2 mi away); precipitation: Lookout Pt Dam, OR (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

974319a

Dexter, OR · 5 mi

974388b

Fall Creek, OR · 6 mi

974558b

Pleasant Hill, OR · 11 mi

Springfield, OR · 16 mi

974248b

Cottage Grove, OR · 17 mi

974348b

Dorena, OR · 18 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97452

What planting zone is ZIP code 97452?

ZIP code 97452 (Lowell, 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 Lowell, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97452 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 Lowell, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97452 is November 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 263 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97452?

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 97452 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 Lowell, 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 97452 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cumley at the center of ZIP 97452: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lowell, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97452 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lowell, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97452 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97452 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97452 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.