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

Planting zone for 97481 — Tenmile, OR

ZIP code 97481 (Tenmile, Douglas County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 97481 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 23
First frostNov 18
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 Tenmile, 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 Tenmile, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 18median — 10% chance by Oct 24
Growing season237 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 20 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Roseburg Kqen, OR — 12 miles away, elevation 427 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 97481

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 23 – Oct 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 4 – Dec 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 23) and first fall frost (Nov 18) 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 97481 came on Feb 18 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

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.

Trees 44

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 °FBishop pine90 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to 17 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 133

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 169

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 Tenmile, OR.

Soil in Tenmile, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97481 is Dickerson — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dickerson-Rock outcrop-Chimneyrock complex, 60 to 90 percent south 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 97481; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tenmile, OR

Summer high89 °Faverage high, August
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days42days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,155base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 23 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation44.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 51 °F, low 36 °F 51°36° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 52 °F 79°52° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 57 °F 88°57° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 56 °F 89°56° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 50 °F 83°50° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 41 °F 56°41° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 37 °F 49°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.45 in precipitation 7.5 JanFebruary: 5.40 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.4 FebMarch: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 2.20 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.23 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 AugSeptember: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 SepOctober: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 7.15 in precipitation 7.2 NovDecember: 8.97 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 9.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Roseburg Kqen, OR (12 mi away); precipitation: Reston, OR (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

974969a
Winston, OR · 6 mi
974719a
Roseburg, OR · 8 mi
974169a
Camas Valley, OR · 8 mi
974698b
Riddle, OR · 15 mi
974869a
Umpqua, OR · 16 mi
974958b
Winchester, OR · 17 mi
974948b
Wilbur, OR · 19 mi
974428b
Glendale, OR · 24 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97481

What planting zone is ZIP code 97481?

ZIP code 97481 (Tenmile, 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 Tenmile, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97481 is March 23; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Roseburg Kqen station.

When is the first frost in Tenmile, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97481 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97481?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 26 – Feb 9 and set transplants outside around Mar 30 – Apr 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97481 get?

About 44.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Reston station).

How hot do summers get in Tenmile, OR?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in August, with about 42 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97481 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dickerson at the center of ZIP 97481: loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Tenmile, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97481 came on Feb 18 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tenmile, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97481 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97481 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97481 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.