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

Planting zone for 97469 — Riddle, OR

ZIP code 97469 (Riddle, Douglas County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 97469 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 31
First frostNov 6
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 Riddle, 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 Riddle, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 20 and returns around December 10.

From the NOAA station Riddle, OR — 4 miles away, elevation 679 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 97469

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 97469 came on Feb 23 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (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 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 Riddle, OR.

Soil in Riddle, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97469 is Camas — very gravelly sandy loam, excessively drained.

TextureVery gravelly 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-Newberg complex, 0 to 3 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 97469; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Riddle, OR

Summer high89 °Faverage high, August
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights33nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,153base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 21 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 01 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation31.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall2 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 53 °F, low 37 °F 53°37° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 51 °F 80°51° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 55 °F 88°55° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 54 °F 89°54° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 49 °F 84°49° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 43 °F 71°43° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 41 °F 58°41° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 37 °F 51°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 4.72 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 4.7❄1 JanFebruary: 3.35 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.4❄1 FebMarch: 3.39 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.4 MarApril: 2.53 in precipitation 2.5 AprMay: 1.86 in precipitation 1.9 MayJune: 0.98 in precipitation 1.0 JunJuly: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 JulAugust: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.71 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 OctNovember: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 NovDecember: 6.17 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 6.2❄1 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

974428b
Glendale, OR · 10 mi
974969a
Winston, OR · 10 mi
974178b
Canyonville, OR · 10 mi
974578b
Myrtle Creek, OR · 14 mi
974819a
Tenmile, OR · 15 mi
974169a
Camas Valley, OR · 16 mi
974108b
Azalea, OR · 17 mi
974978b
Wolf Creek, OR · 18 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97469

What planting zone is ZIP code 97469?

ZIP code 97469 (Riddle, 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 Riddle, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97469 is March 31; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Riddle station.

When is the first frost in Riddle, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97469 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97469?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97469 get?

About 31.1 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Riddle station).

How hot do summers get in Riddle, OR?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in August, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97469 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Camas at the center of ZIP 97469: very gravelly sandy loam, excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Riddle, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97469 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Riddle, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97469 is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).