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

Planting zone for 97480 — Swisshome, OR

ZIP code 97480 (Swisshome, Lane County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 15 and the first fall frost December 9.

Where ZIP 97480 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 frostFeb 15

First frostDec 9

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 Swisshome, 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 Swisshome, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 9median — 10% chance by Nov 9

Growing season306 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 6 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Mapleton, OR — 6 miles away, elevation 16 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 97480

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 14 – Oct 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 25 – Dec 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 15) and first fall frost (Dec 9) 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 97480 came on Feb 12 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
Feb 12

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 Swisshome, OR.

Soil in Swisshome, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97480 is Blachly — 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 groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Blachly silty clay loam, 3 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 97480; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Swisshome, OR

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low40 °Faverage low, December

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights22nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,599base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation84 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: Mapleton, OR (6 mi away); precipitation: Mapleton, OR (6 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.

Tidewater, OR · 16 mi

974618b

Noti, OR · 16 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97480

What planting zone is ZIP code 97480?

ZIP code 97480 (Swisshome, 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 Swisshome, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97480 is February 15; after March 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mapleton station.

When is the first frost in Swisshome, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97480 is December 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 306 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97480?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 21 – Jan 4 and set transplants outside around Feb 22 – Mar 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97480 get?

About 84 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mapleton station).

How hot do summers get in Swisshome, 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 97480 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Blachly at the center of ZIP 97480: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Swisshome, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97480 came on Feb 12 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Swisshome, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97480 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97480 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97480 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.