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

Planting zone for 97490 — Walton, OR

ZIP code 97490 (Walton, Lane County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 97490 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 frostApr 18

First frostOct 25

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 Walton, 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 Walton, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 16 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Fern Ridge-Veneta, OR — 12 miles away, elevation 486 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 97490

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 97490 came on Feb 22 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

average
Feb 182026
Feb 22

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.

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 Walton, OR.

Soil in Walton, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97490 is Meda — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Meda loam, 2 to 12 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 97490; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Walton, OR

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,181base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.4 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: Fern Ridge-Veneta, OR (12 mi away); precipitation: Fern Ridge-Veneta, OR (12 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.

Swisshome, OR · 14 mi

974198b

Cheshire, OR · 15 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97490

What planting zone is ZIP code 97490?

ZIP code 97490 (Walton, 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 Walton, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97490 is April 18; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fern Ridge-Veneta station.

When is the first frost in Walton, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97490 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97490?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97490 get?

About 46.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fern Ridge-Veneta station).

How hot do summers get in Walton, OR?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97490 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Meda at the center of ZIP 97490: loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Walton, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97490 came on Feb 22 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Walton, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97490 is 15 h 29 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).